Introduction to Child
Interviewing
Objectives
Child Interviews
•Compare & contrast child &
adult interviews.
•Explain how to engage &
interview the child.
•Describe developmental
considerations for child
interviews.
Stages of the Child Interview
•Preparation
•Engagement
•The Interview
•Closing
Preparation
•IFF
•… on going
monthly visit
Preparation –
Consider Purpose: IFF
• Decide if maltreatment
occurred.
• Assess the child’s immediate
safety.
• Obtain relevant information
that can be used in making
safety decisions.
• Attend to the emotional care
and comfort of the child.
Preparation – Consider
Purpose: Monthly Visit
• Whether the child feels safe in their
home or placement
• The child's needs, wants and
progress
• Visits with siblings and parents
• Case activities and planning such as
visits and permanent plan.
• Assessment information for
immediate and long-term
intervention plans.
Preparation –
Background Info
• Review of the visitation
notes.
• Review of notes from
any of the services that
the child is
participating in.
• Information on progress
from school.
Preparation –Consider
Child’s Development
• Understanding the developmental
characteristics of the child will help
determine the type of information you
will be able to glean from the child, and
what behaviors would be considered
normal or of concern for a child of that
age.
Engagement
•Greeting
•Note Taking?
•Light Conversation
•Assess Development
The Interview
•Eye Contact/Body
Language
•Discuss Reason for
Interview
•Ground Rules
•Interviewing Techniques
Closing
• Praise the child’s efforts, not
specific content
• Reassure the child without
making any untrue
statements, or false promises
• Offer support
• Invite questions
• Explain what will happen
next/what to expect.
Young Children’s Thought Processes
Concepts of numbers, time,
assumptions, perspective,
causality/magical thinking, &
misunderstandings develop gradually