Consultation Group for Supervisors of Forensic Interviewers – National Children’s Advocacy Center Skip to content

Consultation Group for Supervisors of Forensic Interviewers

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Consultation Group for Supervisors of Forensic Interviewers

As many children’s advocacy centers (CACs) are electing to use a model that includes forensic interviewers, there is a need for more developed plans for building skills and increasing competency of new supervisors of forensic interviewer specialists; as well as maintaining skill quality and promoting continuous growth of more experienced supervisors of forensic interviewers.

Knowledge and strategies are needed that can be adapted for the development of a supervision model for forensic interviewers.

Principles of good supervision include:

  • Creation of an individualized plan for each supervisee
  • Mechanisms for the provision of accurate, effective, specific, and well-timed feedback
  • Commitment to the professional development of the supervisee
  • Commitment to quality control and over-sight of services provided to clients
  • Consistent oversight and support

The Consultation Group for Supervisors of Forensic Interviewers will introduce participants to additional options and strategies for supporting effective professional development plans for forensic interviewers.

While an intensive training experience begins a professional’s journey to becoming a forensic interviewer, the training alone does not produce a competent interviewer. Quality supervision is essential.  A structured plan of practice for specialized skills, additional training, and ongoing reflection and feedback can facilitate the integration of new learning in a way that results in positive changes in interviewer behavior.  Peer review, a model often recommended, may not address the individual needs of newly trained or experienced interviewers, and it may not provide the safety, structure, and consistency needed to further interviewer development.  This program will focus on how supervisors can strengthen this vital process of growing the expertise of forensic interviewers.

This activity meets the National Children’s Alliance 2023 National Accreditation Standard 3, Forensic Interviewing, Essential Element B.

Applications will open on January 4, 2023.

Applications will be accepted through January 11, 2023.

Applicants will be notified on February 24, 2023, via email whether or not they have been selected for the group.

For more information, email Laura Buff.

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This project is supported by a grant awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the  U.S. Department of Justice.