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Chapter 6: Interviews

1. This chapter provides guidance on Section 8 of the Act which permits a council officer, and any person accompanying them, to interview any adult present at the place of the visit. It highlights the requirement for the adult to be made aware that they are not required to answer any questions. This interview can be carried out without applying for an assessment order.

What is an interview?

2. Section 8 permits a council officer, and anyone accompanying the officer, to interview an adult in private within the place being visited . (For further information on visits, please refer to chapter 5)

3. This power applies regardless of whether a sheriff has granted an assessment order authorising the council officer to take the person to another place to allow an interview to be conducted.

What is the purpose of an interview?

4. The purpose of an interview is to assist with inquiries under Part 1 of the Act, about the source, nature and level of any risk to the adult and also to establish whether action is needed to protect the adult. The aims of such an interview will therefore be to:

• establish if the adult has been subject to harm;
• establish if the adult feels his or her safety is at risk and from whom; and
• discuss what action, if any, the adult wishes or is willing to take to protect him or herself.

Where can an adult be interviewed?

5. An interview may take place within any place being visited. This could be, for example, the adult's home, a day centre, care home or hospital. The decision about where to conduct the interview will be taken by the council officer on the basis of information received. This will involve a judgement based on the wishes of the adult themselves and ensuring that the adult can participate as fully and freely as possible. The council officer may also make available an independent advocate to assist the adult with the interview.

6. The timing of the interview should be guided by a planned process of investigation, taking into account local inter-agency protocols and procedures.

What are an adult's rights during an interview?

7. Section 8(2) provides that the adult is not required to answer any questions, and that the adult must be informed of that fact before the interview commences. The adult can choose to answer any question put to them but the purpose of this section is to ensure that they are not forced to answer any question that they choose not to answer.

8. A similar process should be followed to an assessment of risk, for example seeking the consent of the adult to be interviewed, considering the adult's capacity or promoting the adult's participation in the interview:

• seeking the consent of the adult to be interviewed is a more proactive approach than simply advising the adult that they are not obliged to answer questions. The point is to ensure that the adult is given reasonable opportunity and encouragement to answer questions whilst respecting their right not to. Section 35(6) does not permit a council officer or medical practitioner to ignore an adult's refusal to be interviewed or medically examined even after an assessment order has been granted.
• the adult's capacity - some of the following factors may be considered where there is doubt about the adult's mental capacity:
• • does the adult understand the nature of what is being asked and why?
  • is the adult capable of expressing his or her wishes/choices?
  • does the adult have an awareness of the risks/benefits involved?
  • can the adult be made aware of his/her right to refuse to answer questions as well as the possible consequences of doing so?

The possible scenarios will include the following:

• • the adult has capacity and agrees to be interviewed
  • the adult has capacity and declines to be interviewed
  • the adult lacks capacity and is unable to consent to being interviewed
  • the adult has capacity but is thought to have been influenced by some other person to refuse consent
• promoting the adult's participation in the interview - the council also has to promote the adult's participation in the interview by taking account of the adult's needs where these are identified, for example:
• • communication skills or attention span
  • sensory impairment
  • the adult's first language being other than English
  • any other relevant factors

This may require:

• a specialist in sign language or other form of non-verbal communication
• a language interpreter
• an independent advocate
• an appropriate adult where police are interviewing an adult with a mental disorder
• a family member or carer to help communication.

Can an adult be interviewed with others present?

9. Section 8 allows a council officer, and any person accompanying the officer, to interview the adult in private. Whether or not the adult should be interviewed in private will be decided on the basis of whether this would assist in achieving the

objectives of the investigation. The council officer or persons accompanying them may decide to request a private interview with the adult where:

• a person present is thought to have caused harm or poses a risk of harm to the adult;
• the adult indicates that they do not wish the person to be present;
• it is believed that the adult will communicate more freely if interviewed alone; or
• there is a concern of undue influence from others.

10. However, where practicable, it would be good practice to ask an adult whether they would wish another person to be present during the interview, for example a family member, paid carer or an independent advocate.

Can anyone else be interviewed?

11. Section 8 allows the interviewing of any adult found in a place being visited under Section 7 of the Act. For example, in some circumstances it may be in the interest of the adult for another person to also be interviewed, for example, someone who shares their home with the adult or, in a regulated care setting, a care worker. Section 8(2) provides that anyone interviewed under this section is not required to answer any questions, and that they are informed of this before the interview commences.

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