{"id":45,"date":"2026-02-26T18:02:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T18:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/?page_id=45"},"modified":"2026-06-30T14:23:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T13:23:05","slug":"jii","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/jii\/","title":{"rendered":"SCIM \/ JII"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">The Scottish Child Interview Model (SCIM) is the nationally agreed approach to interviewing children and young people in Scotland where there are concerns about abuse or harm. It is grounded in a child-centred, trauma-informed framework and is designed to ensure that children are interviewed in a way that is safe, supportive, and legally robust. SCIM emphasises careful planning, skilled interviewing, and minimising the number of times a child has to share their experiences, in line with the principles of Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC).<\/span><\/p>\n<p>A key component of SCIM is the\u00a0Joint Investigative Interview (JII). This is a formal interview conducted by specially trained professionals from Police Scotland and local authority social work when there is concern that a child may have been abused or is at risk of significant harm. The purpose of a JII is to gather accurate and reliable information from the child in a way that minimises distress and ensures their voice is heard, while also meeting evidential standards where necessary.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Squishy \u2013 Joint Investigative Interview\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Fia26eky6-o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>SCIM and JIIs are central to Scotland\u2019s developing\u00a0Bairns\u2019 Hoose\u00a0approach. Bairns\u2019 Hoose is a national model which aims to provide a coordinated, child-friendly setting where children who have experienced trauma can access justice, care, and recovery services in one place. Within this model, Joint Investigative Interviews are carried out in a safe, appropriate environment, reducing the need for children to attend multiple appointments or repeat their experiences.<\/p>\n<p>For Child Protection Coordinators in Dumfries and Galloway schools, it is important to understand that SCIM, JIIs and Bairns\u2019 Hoose form part of a wider multi-agency safeguarding response. Education staff are not responsible for conducting interviews but play a crucial role in identifying concerns, recording observations, and sharing information promptly. Schools may be asked to contribute to planning, provide relevant contextual information, and support children before and after any interview process.<\/p>\n<p>Dumfries and Galloway Council is committed to ensuring all staff understand their role within these national frameworks, supporting effective partnership working and safeguarding children and young people through consistent, trauma-informed practice.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-138\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/public\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/uploads\/sites\/9015\/2026\/04\/22130253\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"633\" height=\"838\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/public\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/uploads\/sites\/9015\/2026\/04\/22130253\/image-1.png 633w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/public\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/uploads\/sites\/9015\/2026\/04\/22130253\/image-1-227x300.png 227w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 633px) 100vw, 633px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0Information from Education to Inform JII Planning<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When\u00a0staff from\u00a0Child MASH contact education colleagues for information to inform an Inter-Agency Referral Discussion,\u00a0(IRD),\u00a0usually we ask for information which may\u00a0assist\u00a0with assessing risk to a child, i.e.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">any concerns\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">child\u2019s presentation<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">attainment\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">behaviour<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">vulnerabilities<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When requesting information from schools where a JII is to take place, information in relation to the above is useful, but in addition to this, social work should also seek information to assist with the planning of the interview, such as:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Information about a child\u2019s interests, likes or hobbies, as this information is necessary to inform the rapport building stage of a JII for interviewers,\u00a0i.e.\u00a0what are their talents\/interests,\u00a0what\u00a0does he\/she\u00a0like to talk about? Has anything fun happened recently\u00a0for\u00a0him\/her?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How is he\/she\u00a0described?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The child\u2019s ability to communicate and their level of understanding,\u00a0i.e.\u00a0any speech\/language issues, or complex needs<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If there are any diagnosis or known\/recognised vulnerabilities or barriers to learning which may\u00a0impact\u00a0upon the child\u2019s ability to\u00a0participate\u00a0in the interview\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Are they working at a level expected of their age? OR younger\/older?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If a child is struggling, what are the warning signs\/what will we see?\u00a0i.e.\u00a0fidgeting\/acting distracted\/walking around\/closed off or quiet\/speaking quickly etc.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Any strategies used by\u00a0school\u00a0to ensure a child\u2019s understanding and participation in learning.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Known ways of coping with stress,\u00a0i.e.\u00a0do they have self-soothing\u00a0behaviours?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"9\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Information\u00a0regarding\u00a0any ongoing assessment is important,\u00a0i.e.\u00a0CDAT\/SALT<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"10\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Named person\u2019s opinion about a child\u2019s ability to\u00a0participate\u00a0in the JII\u00a0process<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"11\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Any dates that should be avoided for interview,\u00a0i.e.\u00a0\u00a0school trips\/plays\/exciting events at school<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You may be asked about the above information by MASH staff prior to an IRD, or by MASH staff or joint interviewers prior to a JII taking place.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Once the interview has taken place, you will be advised of this by one of the joint interviewers, who may ask you to complete a Child Feedback Form with the child, which is then\u00a0submitted\u00a0to Child MASH at\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"mailto:childMASH@dumgal.gov.uk\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">childMASH@dumgal.gov.uk<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<h1><span style=\"font-size: 1.14286rem\">Feedback Following a Joint Investigative Interview (JII)<\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<p>As part of our ongoing commitment to improving children and young people\u2019s experiences of the Joint Investigative Interview (JII) process, headteachers may be asked to support the completion of a feedback questionnaire with children who have participated in a JII. The questionnaire can be accessed via the following link: <a class=\"fui-Link ___b4qm3y0 f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv f1mo0ibp fjoy568 ff5ikls f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f132whgj f1v74mp6\" href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=9h0uvVqNZ0imR0h8KnQC3j6M2rZFtixJpUPCk-JkJ11UMktKWjU3SjFYTVJFWE5JODBTTEI1N01ZSS4u\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-tabster=\"{&quot;restorer&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:1}}\">JII Feedback Questionnaire<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It is essential that careful consideration is given to who supports the child or young person to complete this evaluation. The individual facilitating the feedback process should have a trusted relationship with the child, understand their communication needs, and be able to support them in a sensitive, trauma-informed manner. While this may often be an appropriate member of school staff, there may be circumstances where another professional or trusted adult would be better placed to undertake this role.<\/p>\n<p>If you have any concerns that school is not the most appropriate setting, or that school staff are not the most suitable individuals to support the child in providing feedback, please advise us by return email as soon as possible. This will allow alternative arrangements to be considered to ensure that the child&#8217;s views are gathered in a way that is safe, supportive and in their best interests.<\/p>\n<p>The feedback provided by children and young people is invaluable in helping partners across education, social work and Police Scotland continue to improve the quality of Joint Investigative Interviews and the wider Bairns\u2019 Hoose approach.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Scottish Child Interview Model (SCIM) is the nationally agreed approach to interviewing children and young people in Scotland where there are concerns about abuse or harm. It is grounded in a child-centred, trauma-informed framework and is designed to ensure that children are interviewed in a way that is safe, supportive, and legally robust. SCIM emphasises careful planning, skilled interviewing, and minimising the number of times a child has to<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/jii\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20564,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-45","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20564"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":226,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45\/revisions\/226"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/educationcpandsafeguarding\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}