The following points should be resolved with the principal/designee prior to the interview:
Who will conduct the interview? The interviewer will be the Children’s Division and/or the law enforcement officer (when involved), although the special needs of the child and his/her relationship with the school personnel may be taken into consideration. When law enforcement personnel are involved, they often take the lead in the interview.
Who may be present in the interview? The number should be kept to an absolute minimum. A teacher, counselor, principal, nurse, etc. who has a relationship with the child may be present, if deemed necessary by the investigator and school administrator.
School personnel participants should be limited to one person, and preferably someone with whom the child feels comfortable. If the child expresses a preference for the presence for a particular school personnel to be present in the interview, that preference should be considered. Anyone present during the interview should be aware they could be served with a subpoena to testify in court. If there are concerns voiced by the school administrator about the process and format of the interviews, the school administrator has the ability to ask that the interview not take place on school grounds.
Confidentiality mandates should be discussed. The confidentiality statutes concerning child abuse investigations are contained in Section 210.150 RSMo. The statute states that disclosure of information concerning the abuse and neglect is made only to persons or agencies that have a right to such information.
Where and when the interview will be conducted? The interview must be in a private
setting and, cause minimal disruption to the child’s schedule. The child’s right to privacy
must be respected.
Should parents initially be notified by school personnel or Children’s Division that an interview occurred at the school, and when should that contact occur? Missouri State law requires that if the parents of the child are not the alleged perpetrators, a parent of the child must be notified prior to the child being interviewed by the Children’s Division.When law enforcement is involved, the investigating officer may take the lead in
deciding when and how to make contact with the family, especially if family members
are the alleged perpetrators. If it has been decided, due to certain safety factors, that
the child will be interviewed without parental notification, the worker is expected to
notify the parents as soon as possible that the child was interviewed.
Is there a need to have a certified interpreter involved during the interview with the child? If an interpreter is needed, Children’s Division staff will secure the services of an interpreter prior to meeting with the child at the school.