Child Focused SAFE Interviewing | Encompass Safeguarding

Child Focused ©SAFE Interviewing

The Certified Framework for Trauma-Informed Safeguarding Interviews with Students

Move beyond basic training. Equip your safeguarding team with the certified ©SAFE methodology to handle disclosures in a legally defensible manner with expertise and confidence.

The ©SAFE Interviewing course provides a structured methodology for conducting child-focused safeguarding enquiries with accuracy and sensitivity. Built on trauma-informed principles, the programme prioritises the child’s emotional well-being while navigating complex disclosures. By following this framework, schools ensure their processes are robust and grounded in defensible practice, minimising procedural risk while keeping the child’s needs at the centre of every enquiry.

The Solution: ©SAFE Interviewing

Have the Safeguarding team certified in child focused ©SAFE Interviewing.
Follow the step by step framework and protocols provided.
Understand that the interview process starts long before you ever meet with the child.
Ensure that the Safeguarding team and Senior Leaders understand and are committed to the ©SAFE interview process.
Ensure that the child's needs are at the centre of decision making.

The ©SAFE Interviewing Curriculum

Button

©SAFE Interviewing

Advanced training to ensure students are asked the right questions in the right way.

7-8 hrs Theory, Self-paced online
2 days Practical, in-person skill embedding

Train the trainer

Become a ©SAFE InterviewingTrainer.

Available 2027

Button

©SAFE Conversations

Foundational training for all staff to establish facts and flag issues.

Asking the RIGHT questions the RIGHT way

DM Training Page_Safe Interviewing_edite

Complete the Theory ONLINE and then join ONSITE training to practice and embed the Child Focused ©SAFE Interviewing framework

Senior Leadership Perspective: The Impact of ©SAFE Interviewing

Screenshot 2026-05-01 at 11.18.11 AM.png

Screenshot 2026-05-01 at 11.15.13 AM.png

Why do you need enhanced interview training?

©SAFE Interviewing empowers school staff with the skills and confidence to conduct sensitive conversations regarding safeguarding concerns that have not yet reached the threshold for external referral.

The problems that schools face in interviewing students:

Schools are often the first place a child discloses abuse
Staff are not trained in interviewing children
Children rarely provide the full information
Detailed information is necessary to determine next actions
International schools are less likely to have external support

The risks that unskilled interviewing can cause:

Place children at additional risk of harm
Protect the abuser
Lead to false information being gathered
Lead to miscarriages of justice
Cause significant emotional, reputational and financial harm to others (staff member, parent, school, other children)
Risk contaminating information and potential evidence

Part 1 : Child Focused ©SAFE Interviewing

The Advanced ©SAFE Interviewing course can be completed in 2 parts:

Part 1. The online Theory providing the core knowledge required to conduct effective, child-centred interviews within a safeguarding context.
Part 2. The 2 day in-person Practical to embedd the theory and practice the skills through
It combines theoretical insights with practical application to ensure practitioners can manage disclosures with professional rigour and sensitivity.

Focusing on the foundational mechanics of the SAFE framework:

The SAFE Framework: Master the core principles of Strategic, Accessible, Factual, and Empowering interviewing.
Planning and Structuring: Learning how to prepare for sensitive enquiries to ensure information is gathered accurately.
Ethical Considerations: Navigating the complexities of student disclosures while maintaining professional and ethical boundaries. Develop skills to ensure interviews are child-centred and ethically sound.
Evidence-Based Practice: Understanding how to structure questions to minimise the risk of contaminating information or potential evidence.
Reflective Application: Engaging in practical tasks designed to bridge the gap between theory and real-world school scenarios.

Gain essential knowledge for SAFE Interviewing Accreditation.

Designed for Safeguarding Teams, Counsellors, and Senior Leaders in both international and UK schools. This course serves as the mandatory prerequisite for those seeking full ©SAFE Interviewing Accreditation.

Format: Self-Paced (Online) 7–8 hours

○ Pre-recorded webinars covering theoretical insights, practical examples, and ethical considerations.

○ Reflective tasks and an online assessment

Certification: Upgrade to Advanced ©SAFE Interviewing at a reduced cost within 6 months
Certification: CPD-certified. Certification valid for 2 years
Fee: £249.00

GET STARTED

Part 2 : Advanced Child Focused ©SAFE Interviewing

This advanced programme is for professionals conducting in-depth interviews with students who may have experienced or caused harm. It bridges the gap between theory and high-stakes practice, combining advanced cognitive techniques with hands-on application to ensure complex disclosures are handled with professional confidence.

Focusing on mastery of the SAFE methodology and defensible practice, the session covers:

Advanced Cognitive Interviewing: Mastery of the science behind memory retrieval and trauma-informed questioning.
Complex Disclosures: Techniques for managing sensitive conversations involving serious harm or peer-on-peer abuse.
Contextual Case Studies: Two days of hands-on practice using school-specific scenarios to refine interviewing skills.
Evidence Management: Ensuring information is gathered to a standard that supports formal investigations or external referrals.
Structured Reflection: Integrated group supervision to reinforce learning and provide feedback on real-world application.

Designed for Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), Deputy DSLs, and Senior Leaders who conduct formal safeguarding enquiries. While the methodology is child-focused, the advanced techniques are equally effective for interviewing adults.

Format:

○ Part 1 - Self-Paced (online): Work through 8 hours of pre-course theory including videos, reflective tasks and tests.

○ Part 2 - Safeguarding Specialist Training (onsite) 2 full days: Develop and refine interviewing skills in a structured, supportive environment. Hands-on practice using contextually relevant case studies.

○ Follow-Up Support: Online group supervision (3–4 months after training) for reflection, reinforcement, and feedback.

Flexible Pathways: Choose to complete both parts in succession or gain partial certification by deferring Part 2 until on-site training is available in your local area.
Certification: CPD-certified. Certification valid for ?? year
Fee: ????

School / Organisational Accreditation:

Let everyone know that you are a school or organisation that takes Safeguarding extremely seriously and are focused on ensuring children’s voices are heard and interviews are conducted ethically and appropriately.

Requirements:

Senior Leadership Team to complete an annual 1-hour Child Focused ©SAFE Interviewing implementation training session* to ensure an understanding of the framework, system, and necessary support.