Managing Confidentiality, Records, Report Writing

& Preparing and Presenting Evidence in Court

Thursday 14th & 15th May 2020

with Dr Barbara Mitchels

Register Here 

As a Play/Creative Therapist or Educator, does the idea of going to court fill you with fear?  Then this two day course is for you!

Do you ask yourself the following questions?

• What is my role as a therapist or an educator in court?
• How do I maintain confidentiality whilst providing the necessary information?
• What do I include/omit in my report for the court?
• How do I present my work in evidence?

This course is facilitated by Dr Barbara Mitchels, a retired Children Panel solicitor and therapist who will provide you with answers to your questions and develop your skills and confidence in the court arena. The day will consist of facilitator input, experiential activities, group discussions, handouts and role play exercises to develop and practise the techniques of preparation for court and courtroom skills.

Day 1   Legal system, notes, confidentiality and information sharing, report writing, and the CPS guidance

This day is designed for anybody that works with children and may be involved in writing reports for the court or presenting evidence about their work in the courts.

• Different types of court and their roles
• The powers of the police, lawyers and the judiciary
• How to respond to a solicitor’s request for evidence
• Case notes and other therapeutic material that can be used by the courts
• Managing confidentiality and disclosures
• Writing Court reports (what to include or omit, structuring reports and presentation)
• The roles of a  the witness of fact and an expert witness
• CPS guidance on pre-trial therapy with children
• ‘Special measures’ for child witnesses and vulnerable adults

Day 2   Giving Good Evidence: Presenting your evidence in court

This day will focus on attending and giving evidence in court hearings and presenting creative mediums such as play, art and drama as evidence in the courts.

• Who is who in the courtroom
• Family Court procedure and Criminal Court procedure
• What to do on arrival at court.
• Waiting time  
• How do I address the magistrates / judge/ others  in court?
• How should I behave in court? Where do I sit? What might I need to bring with me?
• Evidence and cross examination
• Presenting play and creative mediums within the court room
• After the court hearing

The benefits of attending this two-day course:

• Develop your skills and confidence in preparing yourself and your evidence, and presenting your evidence in the courtroom in a safe learning environment.
• Increase your knowledge about the role of the therapist or educator in the courtroom, helping to increase your confidence.
• Dispel some of the myths and fears based around presenting evidence in court
• With the support of an experienced solicitor and therapist, develop the skills to present creative therapies to all parties in the court arena. This will enable the therapy to be valued as an effective medium for your clients.
• A clearer understanding of the forensic role of the therapist, allowing you to practice safely within the law.
• Gain 12 hours of continued professional development and receive a certificate of attendance to evidence the training.
• You will have the opportunity to learn in a high quality safe and nurturing training environment, where learning is enjoyable

This course will be useful for –

Play Therapists, Drama Therapists, Art Therapists, Creative Arts Therapists, Child Therapists, Child Psychotherapists, Counsellors, School Safeguarding Staff 

Register Here 

Course Facilitator

  

Dr Barbara Mitchels