Planning and preparation for your interview

Where an allegation is made against another person there are clearly two versions of events. The complainants’ and the respondents’ or the victims’ and the perpetrators’, however, these versions of events can easily multiply, with other witnesses and other complainants.

Regardless of whether the allegations mount to safeguarding concerns for a child or vulnerable adult, or whether it is a disciplinary matter within the workplace, a breach of workplace policy or poor practice by a sports coach, there is the necessity to unravel what has been alleged and speak with individuals involved.

The interview is pivotal in forming decisions regarding the allegations and will often play a crucial part in resolving the issue.

Take for instance, at the serious end of the criminal spectrum. When an adult discloses historical sexual abuse within the family home, there is often very little evidence to be obtained except that of the victims’ and offenders’ accounts. These interviews will be crucial in bringing the offender to justice.

In resolving workplace issues or safeguarding concerns, it can often be the same, the only evidence available will be from the complainant and the subject of concern.

Your interview is crucial.

Planning and preparation of how you conduct the interview is an absolute must. You must consider the objective of the interview and how you gain that information. You must be thinking about building rapport with the individuals concerned and planning your questions.

The questions you should be asking will be known following your interview of the complainant and the gathering of any other information /evidence you need.

Planning and preparation are the first steps to your interview – it should sit squarely in your investigation plan.

Try to take time to plan, so that your interview covers every bit of detail so when any case is brought to resolution, the decision is sound, and you have delivered a gold service to the individuals involved and built trust in your organisation.

Further topics will be presented on our blogs and workshops.