Did you know that Hilary Linton, Avagene Skervin, Lindsay Kertland and Borzou Tabrizi are all trained to interview children?
We are strong believers in child-inclusive mediation and parenting coordination. Why?
Because interviewing children makes us better at what we do.
In our practice as mediators, parenting coordinators and arbitrators, we keep the views and preferences of the child in focus at all times. We do this in one of several ways, depending on the age and circumstances of each child and the circumstances of the case.
Our experience, supported by research, shows that parents work better together once their children’s voices have been heard—even if they have strongly different opinions or are considered ‘high conflict.’
Where parents cannot agree about what is best for their child 8 years of age or older, we will seek their consent (and that of the child) to conduct an interview and prepare a non-evaluative report.
Our standard protocol includes preparing the parents and the child for the interview and the use of standard, non-leading questions.
When we interview children, we ask them open-ended questions about their lives, friends, school, pets, hobbies, jobs, family and community. We ask about their relationship with their parents and with other important family and community members. We follow up on questions that the parents have raised as concerns for them. Our only agenda is to provide a safe place for the child to have their voice heard.
It is important that children feel comfortable speaking with us, and that they understand their interview is voluntary. They can choose to not answer any question, and they can end the interview at any time. They are told that they alone will determine what is included in the report.
Following a standardized two-interview protocol, we record what the child tells us, prepare a written report and have the child read and approve it.
We make no comments, judgements, recommendations or evaluation. We only include information approved by the child.
The report can be used:
- To help parents reach agreements in mediation. For this purpose, we meet with the parents and share with them, orally, what their child said to us.
- To help us make decisions as parenting coordinators. For this purpose, we share the written report with the parents , giving them the opportunity to make submissions on the weight we should give to the report.
- To share with the court or other mediators, parenting coordinators or arbitrators. For this purpose, we will follow our standard protocols and prepare a written report.
- For use in court, with the consent of both parents and the child, on the understanding that the parents will be prepared to retain counsel for the child if either is challenging the contents of the Report. We also do not produce our notes and records in court, without a court order, so as to protect and respect the child’s confidence.
Contact one of us today to learn more. Interviewing children is one of the best parts of our work!