Closed
Witness Intermediary Scheme for Qualified Communication Specialists
Tender ID: 438997
Tender Details
Organisation:
Tender #:
DJAG6862021
Status:
Closed
Publish Date:
28 November 2020
Closing Date:
14 January 2021
Tender Description
Applications are invited to establish a register of pre-qualified suppliers with suitable qualifications (panel) for the Queensland Intermediary Scheme Pilot Program.
The Department of Justice and Attorney-General, in response to recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, is establishing a witness intermediary scheme to assist witnesses in child sexual offence investigations and prosecutions to give their best evidence.
Applications are sought from individuals with qualifications in speech pathology, psychology, occupational therapy or social work.
The role of the intermediary is to facilitate communication between the witness and police and/or the witness and courts. The role of the intermediary is to:
- assess witness communication and describe any specific communication assistance required;
- provide practical strategies on how to best communicate with the witness and how to pose a question to get the most reliable evidence;
- inform directions hearings, where applicable, to establish court communication guidelines for a vulnerable witness; and
- write court reports on an individual’s communication needs.
The scheme will operate as a two-year pilot in two locations (Brisbane and Cairns), with anticipated commencement in July 2021.
The scheme applies to any child sexual offence prosecution witness who:
- Is under 16 years, or
- Is a person with an impairment of the mind, or
- Has difficulty communicating.
Intermediaries can be engaged from police investigation through to court hearing. They will be required to act in emotionally challenging cases involving child sexual offences and will be exposed to detailed information about child sexual offences.
Given the potentially distressing nature of cases requiring an intermediary, potential candidates who have serious reservations about being involved in such cases should consider whether to apply.
Intermediaries may be asked to assess, and sometimes attend an interview with, a witness at short notice. Panel members will be required to be flexible and organised in order to meet these time commitments. Some evening and weekend work may be required.
Further information can be obtained by downloading the material listed in section 3.
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