In this workshop participants will learn in detail about some of the past and current research on assessment practice that is relevant for intermediaries working with vulnerable people in the criminal justice system.  In addition, participants will gain access to information about trauma and its impact on communication, and different approaches for working with those with a learning disability, those with autism and children.

The schedule for the workshop is as follows:

9.45am – 10.00am: Introduction (Dr Kimberly Collins)

10.00am – 11.00am: ‘Neurodiversity in the criminal justice system: How do we best support those with a learning disability/autism?’ (Dr Emma Groves)

11.00am – 12.00pm: ‘Registered Intermediaries’ assessment of communication: An exploration of aims and processes’ (Dr Kimberly Collins)

12.00pm-1.00pm: Lunch break

1.00pm – 2.00pm: ‘It never goes away: Making sense of and responding to the impact of trauma’ (Dr Daisy Best)

2.00pm – 3.00pm: ‘Can a communication assessment provide a reliable indication of a child’s communication at interview?’ (Dr Kimberly Collins)

3.00pm – 3.15pm: Closing remarks (Dr Kimberly Collins)

Each main presentation will last for 40 minutes with 20 minutes allocated afterwards for questions and discussion

What eash session will cover: 

The first hour long session will be delivered by Dr Emma Groves.  Dr Groves is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in the Psychology Department at Teesside Univeristy.  Her presentation will give an overview of learning disabilities and autism, why these individuals may come into contact with the criminal justice system, and the issues they face.  This will be followed by a discussion of the communication needs of these individuals and the necessary adjustments during assessment.

In the second session Dr Kimberly Collins (Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, research theme lead for vulnerable victims and witnesses, and Registered Intermediary) will provide the findings of a recent study where Registered Intermediaries were interviewed about their experiences during assessment, and how assessment relates to practice in ABE interviews and questioning in court.  Dr Collins will outline the themes generated and provide future recommendations.

The third presentation will be delivered by Dr Daisy Best (Counselling Psychologist, Senior Lecturer, and Director of North Yorkshire Psychologicial Therapies).  Dr Best will describe trauma and its impact on behaviour and communication.  This will be followed by some practical recommendations.

The final presentation is delivered by Dr Collins.  This focuses on the findings of a recent research study in which children were interviewed about an event whereby they either experienced an intermediary assessment before the interview or did not.  The research aimed to explore whether the assessment better predicted the children’s communication at interview, in comparison with professional judgement alone.  Implications for practice will be discussed. 

Delivery

The workshop will be delivered online via the online video platform Microsoft Teams.  Joining instructions and guidance for the event will be provided to participants closer to the date of the event.

Link to sign up: https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/whats_on/events_details.cfm?event_id=11752