When a reportable conduct concern arises, the people involved may feel anxious, uncertain or overwhelmed.
A child may worry about getting someone into trouble. A parent may want immediate answers. A staff member may be concerned about speaking about a colleague.
Supporting participants should be part of the investigation plan from the beginning. Careful preparation can help people understand the process and share their own account.
Put safety and wellbeing first
In Queensland reportable conduct investigations, organisations must manage risks to children throughout the process. Safety arrangements need to be reviewed as circumstances change.
Planning should also consider the wellbeing of witnesses and the worker facing the allegation.
Practical support might include a nominated contact person, suitable interview arrangements and access to appropriate support services.
Coordinate before asking detailed questions
Where criminal conduct is suspected, organisations must report it to police immediately and follow police directions about the investigation.
Before arranging interviews, establish whether police or another agency is involved and what that means for gathering evidence.
If a child raises a concern, listen calmly and avoid suggesting answers. Record the words used as accurately as possible and promptly follow the relevant reporting process. Detailed questioning should be carefully planned and coordinated.
Explain what will happen
Before an interview, explain the investigator’s role and the purpose of the conversation in language the participant can understand.
Useful information includes:
Who will attend and why.
How the conversation will be recorded or documented.
How to request a break.
What to do if a question is unclear.
Who to contact afterwards.
Make it clear that it is acceptable to say “I don’t know”, “I don’t remember” or to correct the interviewer.
Avoid promises about secrecy or the eventual outcome.
Adapt arrangements to the participant
Consider age, communication needs, disability, language and cultural safety when planning participation.
A quiet setting, shorter sessions or an appropriate interpreter may help. Where a support person is involved, clarify their role beforehand and consider whether they are also a witness or otherwise involved in the concern.
Support arrangements should help the participant communicate their own account. A support person should not answer questions for them or supply missing details.
Offer support without rehearsing evidence
Parents, colleagues and managers may understandably want to help someone prepare.
Preparation can cover practical matters, such as where the interview will occur and how to ask for a break. It should avoid rehearsing answers or comparing recollections with other witnesses.
For example, telling someone they can ask the interviewer to explain a question is helpful. Telling them what they should say happened risks influencing their account.
Maintain appropriate communication
Children and families may need updates while an investigation continues.
QFCC guidance recognises that information about progress, findings and responses may be shared in appropriate circumstances. Decisions about disclosure need to consider safety, wellbeing and possible effects on other investigations or proceedings.
A communication plan should identify who provides updates and how participants can raise concerns.
Support a fair process
Taking a concern seriously does not mean deciding the outcome before the evidence has been assessed.
The worker facing an allegation must receive procedural fairness. The investigation should remain impartial while taking appropriate steps to protect and support those involved.
Independent investigation support
Regional Queensland Investigations assists organisations with sensitive investigations across regional Queensland.
Our approach includes careful interview planning, consideration of participant needs and clear documentation of the evidence.
To discuss independent assistance with a reportable conduct investigation, contact Regional Queensland Investigations through www.rqinv.com.au.
Jason King is the Director of Regional Queensland Investigations Pty Ltd. He has a background in law enforcement, compliance, workplace investigations and corporate investigations, assisting businesses and organisations across regional Queensland and the Northern Territory.