Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access

An open and shut case of closed questions- An exploration of joint investigative interview training in Scotland

5^th International Conference on Pediatric Nursing & Healthcare

July 11-12, 2016 Cologne, Germany

Susanne Goetzold

Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Pediat Therapeut

Abstract :

Free narrative accounts by children and young people have been shown to produce the highest quality of evidence when children are interviewed in relation to child protection concerns. Free narrative draws on free recall memory, which is the most reliable source of evidence. In Scotland, where children and young people, who may have been harmed, are generally interviewed jointly by police officers and social workers, professionals tend to be confident in their ability to encourage free narrative. However, evidence shows that this style of interviewing can be challenging as it is a departure from everyday conversation in British culture. As a result, children and young people can be significantly directed by interviewers, reducing the value of evidence and resulting in less reliable statements for legal proceedings, potentially leaving children and young people at risk. The author explores the effectiveness of training for professionals and the need for ongoing support and evaluation of interviewers��? practice to encourage professional development and to maintain standards. The possible relevance of free narrative application to other areas of work with children and young people is explored.

Biography :

Email: s.goetzold@napier.ac.uk