Achieving Best Evidence (ABE)

Overview

Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) is the national protocol for interviewing children and vulnerable adults as part of a criminal investigation. This Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) Training course equips practitioners with the necessary skills to develop strategies for planning and executing interviews in a format suited towards the criminal justice system. The course consists of 3 days of theory and 2 days of interview practice using actors who play the roles of children/vulnerable adults The delegates are assessed in their interviewing skills during the practical day sessions and delegates are scored with a pass or a fail and the assessor completed a feedback form on their interviews. This course has been updated in line with new Ministry of Justice ABE Guidance 2022

Who is Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) aimed at?

Childrens and Adults Social Workers and other staff who require this training

Course Length

This is a 5-day course - 3 days theory and 2 practical days

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson the students will be able to:- 

• Complete a forensic interview of a child/vulnerable adult using the guidelines set down.
• Be able to plan and prepare a forensic interview
• Be aware of the correct questioning method for the forensic interview of a child/vulnerable adult 
• Have an awareness of the difficulties children/vulnerable adults face in the interview process
• Have an understanding of the legalities around the ABE process.

Open Access 2024/25

We are now taking bookings for open access ABE courses for 2024/2025 These will be 5 day training events delivered classroom based in London. The cost is £750 plus VAT per delegate. Please note upfront payment is required for the course. Please complete the enquiry form on this page to book your space. 

Our next dates for 2025 are:-

27th - 31st January 2025 (5 day course) 

This will take place in the City of London. 

Testimonials 

“It’s been a fantastic week of learning. The 6 of us who took on this course have worked really well together, and everyone was really engaged in the training all week. It was a very supportive learning environment. I just wanted to say that I think this is the best training I have been on and our trainer has been excellent. I’ve learnt so much this week and the course has been fantastic” Social Worker

“We commissioned Talking Life, to provide a 5 day Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) in Criminal Proceedings in Children's Services training course for our social worker staff. The process from our initial enquiry to booking and arranging the course dates was extremely easy and dealt with professionally by the whole team. Even more, the team really accommodating our specific requirements along the process of course management.

To add, the feedback from our staff have been great as well. The course was made extremely interesting, information provided in the training informed of purpose, practice information and tips and they feel more informed leaving the training than start. The trainer’s subject knowledge was obvious to everyone in attendance. The course delivery was excellent, the role plays were very useful as it allowed them to gain hands on experience of using newly gained interview skills and practice using open questions. The learning experience was enjoyed by all" Workforce Training Officer