Investigative Skills Training & Workshops
Effective investigation and disclosure are central to justice, but rarely simple. Balancing legal duties, ethical judgment, and investigative clarity requires more than process; it demands skill. They are also a requirement of many regulating bodies, such as ACAS and the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA).
My training and workshops support professionals to manage information confidently and fairly, grounded in real-world practice and current guidance. From gathering facts to handling disclosure, learn to make sound, defensible decisions. Because how we manage information matters as much as the information itself.
"Justice begins not in the verdict, but in the integrity of the investigation that leads to it."
🔍 Fundamentals of Investigation
This bespoke training covers essential skills for managing effective investigations. You’ll learn how to develop a clear investigation plan, make informed decisions, maintain accurate records, conduct thorough interviews, and prepare detailed reports.
Each course can be tailored to your specific needs, and will includea range of learnign activities, including group discussion and applying the learning to a case study relevant to your discipline.
This course can delivered both in-person and online depending on your preference. A minimum of 2 days is recommended.
📚 What is Included?
🗂️ Investigation Planning — Develop a structured approach that ensures clarity, efficiency, and establishes clear lines of enquiry.
✅ Decision Making & Recording — Make informed decisions grounded in standards and best practice, while maintaining accurate, detailed records.
🎤 Interview Techniques — Learn essential skills to effectively gather information from witnesses and those under investigation.
📝 Report Preparation — Present investigation findings objectively and professionally, providing clear recommendations to support decision-making
🎯 Target Audience
These courses are ideal for professionals involved in conducting sensitive investigations, including:
🕵️♂️ Grievance Investigators
👩💼 HR Investigators
🎓 Student Conduct / Casework Investigators
💼 Corporate Investigators
👩🏫 Teachers Investigating Suspected Misconduct
To ensure maximum benefit, I would recommend a maximum of 12 delegates per course.
🧠⚡ 'SkillSharp' Sessions
SkillSharp workshops are designed to develop the core skills every investigator needs — from decision-making and critical thinking to effective communication and problem-solving. Each session is short, practical, and interactive, giving you the tools to approach complex situations with clarity and confidence.
SkillSharp is about building precision, sharpening judgement, and strengthening the skills that matter most in short, manageable sessions up to two hours.
📚 Example Sessions
🗣️ Asking the Right Questions— Learn how to frame and pose questions that uncover the information that matters most.
⚖️Decision Making and Bias — Understand how to make effective decisions, whilst being aware of the impact of bias.
🧠Memory Matters— Explore how human memory works, why it can be unreliable, and the impact this has on witness accounts and reporting
🤝Connect & Understand - Learn how to build genuine empathy and rapport to communicate more effectively and strengthen professional relationships
📂 Criminal Procedures and Investigation Act (CPIA) Fundamentals
Disclosure remains one of the most challenging aspects of investigations and continues to be a leading cause of miscarriages of justice (MoJs), including in several high-profile cases such as the recent Horizon Post Office scandal. In 2017, The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) highlighted that disclosure failures are the single biggest contributor to MoJs in the UK. Most recently, Jonathan Fisher KC’s independent review of Disclosure in Fraud Offences emphasised that effective training is vital to address these ongoing issues and improve investigative outcomes.
My training provides practical guidance on managing investigations in line with the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA). Learn how to handle disclosure obligations effectively, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance throughout the investigative process.
This course can delivered in-person or online depending on your preference and this training is one day in length.
📚 What is Included?
⚖️ The Role of CPIA — Explain how the CPIA ensures fairness within the Criminal Justice System.
📚 Key Terms & Responsibilities — Define critical CPIA terms like ‘Criminal Investigation’ and outline police roles and duties.
🔍 Material Types & Disclosure Tests — Differentiate types of material and apply the ‘Relevance’ and ‘Disclosure’ tests to unused material.
💻 Digital Review & Disclosure — Develop effective strategies for reviewing and disclosing digital evidence.
📝 Schedules of Unused Material — Prepare schedules that comply with National File Standards for prosecutors.
📂 Ongoing Disclosure Duties — Understand continuing disclosure obligations, including Defence Case Statements and Section 8 CPIA Applications.
🎯 Target Audience
This course is primarily designed for those involved in criminal investigations but may also benefit professionals whose inquiries could lead to police involvement.
It helps you understand legal disclosure requirements and how your investigation aligns with the broader criminal justice process.
To ensure maximum benefit, I would recommend a maximum of 20 delegates per course.
