Interviewing Victims & Complainants of ASB
Everything you need to know to carry out an effective interview
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Are you new to ASB and required to interview complainants and victims? Are you an experienced ASB officer who wants to check their knowledge or consolidate it so you can teach others? Are you a manager looking for an induction programme for new starters that is high quality yet cost effective? Do you conduct interviews but feel like you don’t know what to ask?
One of the first key actions taken in an ASB case is to interview the complainant. Handled effectively and professionally, a complainant interview can:
- Ensure full details are obtained, allowing the most appropriate action to be taken to resolve the case quickly and cost effectively
- Identify any risks and vulnerabilities and allow these to be addressed
- Establish other avenues of information to ensure that the officer has the evidence to take action
- Leave the complainant feeling supported and informed
Using a mix of audio clips, presentations, templates, exercises and quizzes, this course aims to provide all the information and guidance that an officer needs to be able to:
- Plan effectively for the interview, managing any risks, determining the most appropriate way to conduct the interview and ensuring the interview is well structured and controlled
- Build a rapport with the complainant and gather all information that is required
- Manage common challenges
- Create meaningful and realistic action plans with the complainant
- Use the information obtained to determine next steps
This course is perfect for anyone new to ASB investigations or an officer who wishes to check their knowledge and understanding. Structured in short sections, the course allows you to dip in as time allows, without having to leave the office.
Your Instructor
Janine is one of the Country’s leading ASB practitioners. In 2005, following completion of postgraduate certificate in legal practice, Janine started working in ASB. Over the years she has worked as a front-line officer, team manager and senior manager, for Councils and Housing Associations.
From 2008 - 2013, Janine managed a large Local Authority ASB team. She conducted a full service review and implemented a number of service improvements, resulting in a team that attracted regional and national recognition, winning a Tilley award, a number of West Midlands Police awards and a SLCNG team of the year award.
During this time, Janine started supporting the Home Office, acting as a training and peer reviewer. She was part of the Home Office ASB Squad, the Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Team and the Ending Gang and Youth Violence Team.
In 2012, Janine started splitting her working week, spending 2 days of it working for a national, membership based organisation, focussed on developing, sharing and influencing best practice in tackling ASB and crime. She progressed to Managing Director and spent her time improving services to members, building partnerships with national organisations and influencing legislation and policy. Janine was part of the ASB Advisory Group, established by the Home Office to monitor the implementation of the ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and review the associated statutory guidance.
Janine now provides services directly to her clients and is passionate about educating officers working in the ASB sector. She works 1 day per week for the National Counter Terrorism Unit, providing advice on the use of civil orders to tackle issues of national security.
Janine is also a trustee for ASB Help, a charity established to improve support to victims of ASB and a board member of Women in Social Housing, a networking group that delivers professional workshops for women.
Janine is a member of the Scottish Judiciary, hearing cases relating to the private sector. She is also a lay member of the Bar Tribunal and Adjudication Service, hearing cases where barristers have breached conduct rules. She in a member of the West Midlands Police Ethics Committee. In 2017, Janine was identified by the BBC as an “Expert Woman”: someone with the skills and experience to contribute to TV and radio. She now receives regular training and contributes to BBC, ITV and Sky programming.