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© 2010 Angus Child Protection Committee

Child Protection in Angus

Information for parents and carers about recording of interviews

Introduction

Throughout Scotland, police forces and social work departments, who together interview children, now record these interviews on DVD.

This provides a better record than writing notes, and the questions asked and the child's reactions are fully recorded as well.

It also means that the people doing the interviews can spend more time concentrating on the child's welfare during the interview.

The child will be asked how they feel about being recorded before the interview starts.

Who will interview a child?

Interviews with children and young people are usually carried out by police officers and social workers who have been specially trained to interview children. The police officer will not normally be wearing a uniform.

Where will the interview take place?

The interview will normally take place in Bellevue House, Springfield Terrace, Arbroath. There is a room in the building which is fitted with equipment to allow the interview to be recorded. It has been furnished and decorated to help your child feel as comfortable as possible.

How long will the interview take?

It is difficult to say how long the interview will take. To give some idea of what happens, the interviewer will speak with parents/carers before they begin. Most interviews take up to one hour. However, depending on what is spoken about, it might take a little bit longer. The interviewers will make sure that the child gets a rest if s/he needs one.

Will parents/carers be able to be with a child when s/he is interviewed?

Once again the interviewer will speak with parents/carers about this before the interview begins. While parents/carers may want to be with a child, in most cases we try to speak with children alone. The reason is that even well-meaning adults can influence what the child says, or does not say, in the interview. Most children are happy to be interviewed alone. If, for any reason, a parent or carer has to be with a child, the interviewers will tell the parents/carers what should and should not be done during the interview.

What will happen to the DVD recording of the interview?

As a DVD shows accurately what went on during the interview, the recording, like any other form of statement taken by the police, may be shown to other people such as:

• the child's social worker;
• the procurator fiscal;
• the children's reporter;
• the defence lawyer (but not the accused person before the trial); and
• a judge or sheriff and jury, in court.

Some of these people may not need to speak to the child again because they have the recording instead.

If a child has to go to court to give evidence, the recording could be played as part of this. But a child would still have to be cross-examined (asked questions by the defence). Under the Vulnerable Witnesses Act, some children may be able to use special measures when being cross-examined or going to court, including using screens or TV links. These may help, if they are available.

There are very strict rules on keeping and copying recordings. The police will keep them and only the procurator fiscal, children's reporter or the court may use them. Defence lawyers are only allowed to see the recordings at the procurator fiscal's office.

Sometimes recordings may be used to help with staff training. If this happens, we would need parents' or carers' permission.

What should a parent/carer tell a child about the interview?

Parents or carers should:

• tell the child where they are going and who will be speaking to them;
• emphasise that the interviewers speak to lots of children and young people;
• make it clear that the child is not in any trouble and all they have to do is tell the truth; and
• tell the child not to guess the answer to any question and not make anything up.

It is important to give a child the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. If a parent or carer cannot answer them, please ask the interviewers.

Download Information leaflet for parents and carers about recording of interviews leaflet (560 KB PDF). This contains an example of the permission form parents/carers will be asked to sign.

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