Activity 1.1 Prepare for the Interview

Individually or as a group, select a scenario below.

(a)Discuss what you will consider whenplanning your interview and complete the attached INTERVIEWPREPARATION CHECKLIST.

(b)Create an Event Line from the information provided in your scenario.

(c)At the end of the activity, briefly present your findings to the whole group. (You have 15 minutes to complete the activity)

Scenario 1: (Dan)

A local school has contacted your centre to advise that Dan Brown (8) had arrived at school with a bruise on his left eye yesterday. They outlined that Dan has been at the School for one term and that there had been some concerns for his welfare. It was also stated that Dan attended school regularly but sometimes didn’t have lunch. The school has been monitoring him. Dan’s Father, Jack Brown, is reported to have had contact with the School, but he is described as very ‘uptight’ and has lost his temper with the Principal in the past.

School advised that when asked what happened to his eye, Dan said ‘it happened at home – I fell off my bike’. Dan has been very quiet and ‘seemed scared of talking about the bruise’.

You have been asked by your Team Leader to interview Dan.

Scenario 2: (Ella)

Ella is a 6 year old girl who was removed from the care of her mother (due to neglect issues) and placed with foster carers (Simone and Bob). She has been in the foster placement for 6 weeks, continues to attend her old school and visits Mum each Saturday.

You have arranged to meet with her tomorrow after school to see how everything is going.

Scenario 3: (Roland)

YMCA after school care have contacted your centre to outline their concerns for Roland, an 11 year old boy. They report that Roland has been attending YMCA for over 2 years and has been an outgoing and confident boy in the past. However, they have been concerned about Roland over the past 4 weeks as he has become withdrawn and appears ‘upset’ about something. Last week he punched a younger child at after school care which the staff describe as ‘very out of character’. Lately, Roland appears reluctant to return home and has uttered some angry remarks about ‘Mum’s new boyfriend’ who is ‘hanging around all the time’.

You have been asked by your Team Leader to interview Roland.

INTERVIEWPREPARATION CHECKLIST Child’s Name: ______Age____

Research/Case History Notes
May include:
  • Family & circumstances
  • Genogram(attach)
  • Age/developmental stage of the child (attach relevant Child Development Checklist)
  • Impact of any abuse and neglect on the child
  • Level of risk

Main Issues
Purpose of the interview
Further information
  • What further information do I wish to gather to assess risk of harm?
  • Who else do I need to contact?

What contingencies/possible outcomes may occur and have I planned for them?
Considerations:
  • What has the child been told about the interview?
  • Do you need to invite the family/parents to attend? Y / N
  • Will parents’ prior knowledge of the interview compromise the safety of the child or interfere with a possible criminal investigation by the police? Y / N
  • Will seeing and assessing the child’s home environment be critical to the investigation and assessment? Y / N
  • Other......

Practical arrangements: Location:
Date & time:
Suitable interviewer:
Written record (who? how?):
Who else should be present?
(interpreter, parent, co-worker)
Identify their role/s:
Special needs: Age:
Gender:
Culture
(refer to organisational ATSI & CALDprinciples and policies):
Physical:
Emotional:
Intellectual: / (Attach completed Checklist 2 from Activity 1.2 and see vignette#12)
How should communications occur between primary and secondary worker/interpreter?
Strategies for Raising the Allegation (if there is one)
Strategies for dealing with blocks

Date: ______Name of Caseworker: ______

Office: ______Name of Manager Casework: ______

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