National Vulnerable Witness Adviser: Laura Hynes (NCA) • Achieving Best Evidence 2022
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This Aide Memoir does not replace the guidance contained in Achieving Best Evidence 2022, which should be understood in detail and referred to where necessary. It is not a replacement for formal training and should only be used by persons who have undergone appropriate specialist training (ABE 1.32). Each case must be considered individually. This assessment does NOT replace the assessment carried out by a Registered Intermediary should one be utilised. Supervisors should monitor and review interviews and associated plans appropriately (ABE 1.35). Any witness assessment and interview strategy should be accompanied by a witness care strategy. The safeguarding and welfare of the child takes primacy (ABE 2.26).
PIPPA — Child Witness Needs Assessment
National Crime Agency • ABE 2022
Completion: 0%
1
Previous accounts & context of concern ABE 2.29–2.32
Understanding the circumstances is critical: it helps plan questions for mental context reinstatement and address significant omissions or inconsistencies. ABE 3.100
DO NOT REPEATEDLY REQUIRE A CHILD TO TELL DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHAT HAPPENED. IF THIS IS A CLEAR ALLEGATION, EVIDENCE THE ACCOUNT GIVEN TO THE ADULT. ABE 2.4–2.7
Obtain all documentation of any prior account to any person.
Prior account details
Circumstances and context of account / incident
Who was present at time of account
Location where account was given
Questions asked of the child
Observations re: child's communication
Exact words / phrases used by victim (their own words)
Balance the need to ensure the child is ready and informed against the risk of coaching or collusion. Keep a full written record as a minimum ABE 2.72. Maintain clear objectives ABE 2.73.
Do you have the skills necessary to meet the communication needs of this child?
Are you able to make adaptations that assist?
What other methods of supporting the child's needs might you consider?
5
Assessment tasks 1–4
TASK 1 Key concepts — working memory & language ABE 2.70
Items needed: animal counters, bag, building bricks. Purpose: rapport building; assess understanding of prepositions and quantity.
Word comprehension checklist
Word
✓
✗
Word
✓
✗
TASK 2 Practice interview
Items: plain paper, colouring pens, post-it notes. Mini interview about a topic NOT linked to offence / offender / location. Treat with same rules as ABE interview.
What to establish
Ground rules taught
Practice narrative — adequate? Coherent? Corrects interviewer?
Question types understood. How simple do questions need to be?
Relevant words / concepts. Own words for events, positions, sequences, numbers, times
Level of detail — with and without appropriate prompting
Ground rules — did teaching work? Which were effective?
Does drawing help or hinder this child?
TASK 3 Demonstrate detail
Items: a describable object (e.g. bottle). Purpose: practise providing detail. May not be needed if practice narrative already demonstrates adequate detail.
TASK 4 Body outline
Items: pre-cut body outline, colouring pens. Rapport tool only. DO NOT use in interview. DO NOT ask about intimate parts. Use only with non-suggestive questioning.
Action
✓
✗
Notes
Engages and completes task
Identifies it represents them and resists mis-naming
Names and identifies correct body parts
6
Decision making & rationale
Use all information gathered to inform a bespoke interview strategy. Document your rationale fully.
🤖 Decision Support Tool
Analyses your assessment findings and suggests the most appropriate next step
If an interview adviser is engaged they will usually prepare the overarching strategy and take oversight of the plan. List factors that may affect the interview and how you will address them.
Opening questions (8–10) — starting with "What have you come here to talk about?"
Use prior context of concern to assist if these exist (refer to Section 1). These should be open and non-leading.
Welfare issues / victim support / referral to SARC etc. ABE 2.242
Interview reference number and storage
Info on retention and use — provided to interviewee / parent / guardian?
ROC / PPI / URN updated with accurate interview summary
ROVI preparation
Use of Needs Assessment to inform MG2
Disclosure of interview content to other relevant parties
MG11 from interviewer / co-interviewer
Interview evaluation — link to suspect interview? Any key phrases?
Further interview required?
Self-evaluation and accreditation
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