Advanced Investigation Skills (3 Days)

Frequently Asked Questions

• What key skills do delegates learn on this course that will benefit your organisation?

  This three-day advanced investigation and interviewing skills™ course gives delegates a detailed insight into the investigation process along with the skills that they need to undertake a detailed and robust investigation into a wide range of complex and serious workplace issues including allegations of misconduct, fraud, bullying, harassment and discrimination.

  The course delivers detailed insights into the investigation process along with the skills required to set up and run a workplace investigation and to produce a detailed investigation report which will stand up to internal and external scrutiny.

  Your organisation will have access to highly trained workplace investigators who can assist you to make an evidence-based, fair and objective decision about how to resolve a workplace issue. This may include decisions to apply a disciplinary sanction up to and including the decision to dismiss. Delegates who successfully complete this course are able to refer to themselves as TCM Accredited Investigators.

• What are the objectives of the course?

  This advanced-level investigation skills training course provides delegates with an understanding of:

  • The relevant legislative and statutory framework of workplace investigations.
  • The responsibilities of the employer, the rights of the employee and the role of the investigator.
  • What makes a good investigation and what makes a bad investigation?
  • When to suspend, the implications of suspension and the right way to suspend an employee.
  • The key stages of the workplace investigation.
  • Scoping the process and agreeing terms of reference.
  • Key investigation skills: impartiality, active listening, questioning, funnelling, summarising, assertiveness, and note-taking.
  • How to gather and evaluate evidence objectively: witness statements, background evidence, mitigation, corroboration etc., and how to determine relevance.
  • How to compile a well-structured investigation report which will withstand internal and external scrutiny.
  • An awareness of the ‘ACAS Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance’, ‘The Burchell Test’, ‘The Polkey Principle’ and how to apply the civil standard of proof in a workplace investigation.

  All delegates will receive The TCM investigator handbook which they can utilise to conduct investigations. The handbook includes copies of the following templates which can be adapted for use within the delegates’ organisations:

  • Workplace investigation protocol
  • Letters to various parties within an investigation
  • A robust final report template
• What teaching and learning methods do you use?

  TCM trainers are experts at creating a safe, empowering and challenging training environment.

  This course utilises a variety of teaching styles, including facilitator presentation, participant discussion, personal reflection, group exercises, workshops and role-plays.

  All activities take into account participants’ individual learning styles and provide a broad range of experiential and shared learning. All delegates receive twelve months’ follow up support to help them to embed the learning.

• What support and aftercare do you offer?

  TCM delivers extensive support for delegates on the National Certificate in Workplace Mediation™ before, during and after the course concludes.

  • Open College Network (OCN) accreditation fees.
  • The unique online TCM Delegate Zone™ which includes useful toolkits, check sheets, videos, documents and other resources for delegates.
  • Free copy of the Workplace Mediators Handbook™ for all delegates.
  • One to one coaching for delegates during the course and once the course concludes, support via the TCM helpline as required.
  • Assessment costs and a personal report for each learner.
  • Free refresher training or webinar for all delegates after 3-6 months (available for up to a year after the course concludes)
  • Lifetime aftercare and support for all delegates with TCM’s unique mediator helpline – The Mediator Helpline™
• How is the course assessed?

  This course is assessed by way of a written assessment and an assessed practical exercise. Delegates who complete this course and pass the assessment are able to refer to themselves as TCM Accredited Investigators.

• Is this course accredited by an external body?

  This course is fully certified by The CPD Certification Service and is delivered by the UK’s top resolution experts.