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Expert witness in child protection (Level 3+, 4 and 5) - online course

Education & Professional Development team
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This two-day online course provides paediatricians, who are already acting in an expert capacity or those with professional witness experience wishing to do so in the future, with the skills required to fulfil this key responsibility.

Please note: This course is held virtually, via Zoom.
Date: -
Time: -
Spaces available

Fee

RCPCH Members - £520

Non members - £680

Book your place

Please read the course requirements before booking. 

We are pleased to be working with Bond Solon, the UK's leading legal training and information company specifically for nonlawyers, in delivering this highly interactive, practical course which has been specifically developed for paediatricians.

You will gain an understanding of how the different court systems work, the purpose of the expert witness role (compared to professional witnesses) and your responsibility as an independent educator of the court.

You will also learn more about the key skills required to present confident, clear testimony under cross-examination and how to express an independent opinion based on the foundation of fact.

In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to develop a structured approach to preparing expert reports with feedback given on one of your own reports that you will be required to submit in advance as part of this course.

Course days

Delegates must attend both days

  • Tuesday 2nd June 09:30 - 17:00 and
  • Wednesday 3rd June 09:30 - 17:00

Please note: The course times are in British Summer Time (BST)

Aim

To equip paediatricians being called as expert witnesses with the skills to produce constructive independent reports and to effectively testify in court to ensure the best possible outcomes for the child.

I am undertaking the role of expert witness at present and this will contribute significantly with ongoing development.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Describe the roles and responsibilities of expert witnesses and how these differ from professional witnesses
  • Produce independent expert reports that meets the specifications of the different court systems
  • Testify in court as an expert witness with the skills and confidence required to provide the best possible outcomes for the child 

I am going to look into how to sign up to be an expert witness following this course. It has built up my confidence that I would be able to do this effectively.

Target Audience

  • Consultant paediatricians
  • SAS doctors

I will apply the learning to my future reports and evidence in courts.

Course requirements

  • Target audience only
  • Current experience of being an expert witness or
  • If looking to step up into this role must have current experience of being a professional witness with court experience
  • You will be required to submit a written professional witness or expert witness report (real or fictitious). This will need to be sent to us two weeks before the course date. More information on this will be given once you have registered.

Technical requirements

  • Windows or Mac computer (laptop/desktop or tablet)
  • An internet connection – broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE). Minimum bandwidth is 600kbps (up/down) and recommended is 1.5 Mbps (up/down)
  • Microphone and speaker - either using:
    •  the built-in microphone/speaker
    • a headset connected to your laptop/desktop or tablet
  • Webcam - either using:
    • the built-in webcam
    • separate webcam connected to your laptop/desktop or tablet