MINI PUPILLAGE SCHEME

Family Court CPD

opportunities for Psychologists

Does the role of a psychological expert witness intrigue you but the idea of Court put you off?

Are you interested in learning about Family Court Proceedings from the inside out?

Would you like to know more about the Court process and observe live cross examination of expert witnesses in real family cases?

Are you interested in expanding your practice to assessments of children and / or adults involved in legal proceedings?  If so, this is your opportunity to gain unprecedented access to the Court room and specialist legal practitioners.

Our programme last year was very well received as can be seen by the following comments:

I would say without hesitation that attending the court skills workshop has made me a more willing and enthusiastic expert witness and has increased my skills and competence in this area and I would certainly highly recommend it to any other prospective experts                                                         Clinical Psychologist

Overall, as scary as it was, it was an invaluable learning experience …I would highly recommend other psychologists out there who are interested in doing court work to attend this workshop, with the ultimate aim that psychologists can assist the courts in legal decision-making about vulnerable children’s lives in a well-prepared, rigorous and expeditious manner                          Forensic Psychologist

At the end of the day I left with an exhilarating feeling of achievement and so much more knowledge… a good understanding of the family court proceedings and what is required of an expert witness                       Educational Psychologist

[During the shadowing] I had the opportunity to meet with a Guardian and a parent, both of which gave me the chance to hear about a range of experiences and views about the care/legal process.  I found it really useful to observe the process within the court (e.g. the behind the scenes discussions between parties) and to hear the language used in the court room. Overall, a really useful experience that I would definitely recommend to others            Clinical Psychologist

The evaluation report of 2010’s programme can be accessed via this website for further information. 

Day 1 will be a combination of presentations, group discussions and exercises in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.  Day 2 will be a mock trial in Coventry County Court with each participant experiencing cross examination by a real barrister in a real court room. 

Following the workshop each participant will be given the opportunity to have a mini pupillage (up to 2 days), shadowing a Barrister or Judge in the Midlands region and to observe live Family Court cases.  

Whilst this comprehensive training programme is being subsidised and supported by the Warwickshire and Coventry Family Justice Council, participants are being asked to pay a contribution towards the overall costs, which are being kept to a minimum.  The fee is £200 (no VAT) for the whole programme.  The equivalent in the private sector would be in excess of £800 (+VAT); generic rather than focused on psychological practitioners; and would not include the live shadowing and local networking opportunities.     

The Warwickshire and Coventry Family Justice Council is committed to improving the quality and quantity of expert witnesses within Family Proceedings and this is an interdisciplinary programme designed to meet this aim.

If the above interests you then please read on for the entry criteria and application process.

MINI PUPILLAGE SCHEME

Criteria for application

There are limited places available and successful candidates will be chosen on the basis of the following criteria:

1.     Current registration as Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Professions Council (Clinical, Counselling, Educational or Forensic)

2.     A commitment to work in / around Warwickshire and Coventry

3.     To be actively considering but not yet started or in the early stages of expert witness practice within Family Proceedings (e.g. have completed no more than 5 reports)

4.     A commitment to develop best practice as an expert witness to include:

a.      Identification of suitable specialist supervision / professional support

b.     Consideration of arrangements for independent work

c.     Professional indemnity insurance

To apply for this unique opportunity send an email to victoria.burke@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk detailing how you meet the criteria set out above.  Please also provide details about court related training you have already undertaken (if any) and other relevant information including your contact details. 

The closing date for applications is the 30^th June 2011 for places available throughout 2011.  All applications are being subsidised by the Warwickshire and Coventry Family Justice Council and are therefore subject to acceptance.  They will be considered by a panel comprising of a Solicitor, Barrister and registered Psychologist and successful candidates will be contacted directly.   The dates of the course will be confirmed directly to the candidates who are accepted.  Once offered a place candidates will be issued with an invoice for payment prior to final acceptance.