Interview venue and support

A suitable date, time and venue for the SCIM joint interview will be agreed with the child and their support person.

Children and young people in East Lothian can choose to have their interview in either John Muir House, Haddington or the Sycamore Centre, Edinburgh.

Both venues provide private, child friendly environments for these interviews to be held. A selection of refreshments and fidget toys/creative materials are provided which can help the child concentrate and feel more at ease during the interview. They can also bring their own resources if they wish.

It is important that a supportive adult is identified to accompany a child or young person to the interview venue, where possible.  This person has a valuable role to play in offering comfort, familiarity, and reassurance in the time and space before and after interview, as well as during breaks in the interview.

Interviewers will have at least one break during the SCIM interview to consult their notes, however the child can request as many breaks as needed to help them manage the process.