Child protection and justice partners are working in partnership with the Scottish Government to take forward recommendations of the Evidence and Procedure Review to improve the quality and consistency of Joint Investigative Interviews (JIIs) of children.
The aim is that JII statements are of a sufficiently high standard that they can be used as Evidence in Chief and contribute to the range of improvements being made to remove the need for children to give evidence in court and so reduce the potential of further trauma for child victims and witnesses.
This work is being led by local authorities and Police Scotland who both have statutory responsibility for the investigation of concerns about children.
A National JII Project Team, made up of experienced social workers and police officers, was set up in November 2017 to develop a new approach to JII’s in Scotland, drawing on national and international research and best practice.
This led to the development of the Scottish Child Interview Model for joint investigative interviewing and to a new, comprehensive training programme for child interviewers. This new model is now being implemented across all areas in Scotland.
You can find out more in the initial information pack.
The 2024 Status Report for the National JII Project captures key achievements and challenges to date. Find out more here
Seven Minute Briefings
Scottish Child Interview Model Background and Overview
Scottish Child Interview Model of Practice
National Joint Investigative Interviewing Training Programme
Evidence Based Interview Practice – Research Briefings and Position Statements
Evaluation of Interviewer Practice
Talking Mats Position Statement July 2025
Emerging Learning
Emerging Learning: Case Study 1
Emerging Learning: Case Study 2
Emerging Learning - Practical Operations
Emerging Learning - Cadre Coordinator Role
Emerging Learning - Briefing Paper One - Preparation for Implementation
Emerging Learning - Lanarkshire Social Work Management
Emerging Learning - North Strathclyde Health Data
Emerging Learning - Briefing Paper 2 - Learning from Practice
Emerging Learning - Briefing Paper 3 - December 2022
Emerging Learning - Dumfries and Galloway Case Illustrations
Emerging Learning - Joint Management in Glasgow JII Partnership
Newsletters and Headline Reports
Headline Report June 2025
Headline Report April 2025
October 2024
December 2022
June 2022
October 2021
April 2021
December 2020
October 2020
Presentations / Meetings
Insight from Interviewers (31 August 2021)
Presentation to CPC Scotland on the Scottish Child Interview Model for Joint Investigative Interviewing (30 September 2020)
Data, Evaluation and Research
Interviewer Retention Analysis November 2025
Response from the National Oversight Group for JII to the CYCJ Evaluation Report
SCIM Evaluation Report 2025
Joint Investigative Interviewing in Scotland - Provision of Non-Suggestive Social Support (2022 Research)
A New Approach to Investigative Interviews with Children - What Can We Learn From the Interviewers (Hannah Carr 2022 Research)
Quality Assurance and Data Framework (Quality Standards)
Evidential and Technical Quality of JIIs June 2021
JII Interim Evaluation Report
Evaluation and Learning Framework
Blog Posts
Six Years, 32 Local Authorities and 10,000 children
JII In Scotland - a Reflective Blog (September 2021)
Jillian Ingram
JII National Implementation Coordinator
jilliani@cosla.gov.uk
