QUALIFICATIONS?
“Ian, we don’t need qualifications to investigate, why are you so bothered”?
A question posed of our founding partner, Ian Hynes, again earlier this week and brought into sharp focus today as Intersol underwent its annual BS 102000 audit, which it passed with flying colours by the way!
Because “Investigations impact lives, livelihoods, and careers,” he responded.
In the UK, anybody can be entrusted with an investigation, yes, it might surprise you, even in the world of criminal investigation. Certainly in the ‘civil’ world It remains a totally unlicensed, unregulated profession with little governance wrapped around it, particularly in the workplace environment where investigations of the most serious and complex discipline issues are usually allocated based on management hierarchy; a “well you’re a manager, you can do this investigation (into serious sexual misconduct…)” strategy, with little if any consideration of competency, ability, experience, even willingness.
At its extreme, poor investigation can actually cost life, there are many examples. We would ask the reader to reflect for a moment and identify another profession that can be so impactive and destructive that remains so ungoverned and un-professionalised?
When ‘we’ crossed the road from a lifetime of criminal investigation to the ‘civil,’ we were determined to take steps to progress that professionalisation and develop meaningful, but proportionate Ofqual regulated qualifications, specifically with application to the ‘civil’ world of workplace, commercial, and regulatory investigation. Indeed, as this piece is being written, day two of certified investigation training is being delivered to incident investigators in Network Rail.
Our first step on this journey was the development of a Level 3 Certificate in Investigative Interviewing, the first unit of which is accredited by Skillsfirst as a stand-alone Award in Managing Difficult Conversations, see: here
The journey to that qualification saw Intersol proudly awarded ‘Recognised Learner Centre’ status, assuring clients that we do not ‘mark our own homework’ and issue ‘in house’ certificates, but learners are awarded a regulated and meaningful qualification.
The next step on the journey was investment in a ‘one of a kind’ Ofqual Level 3 Certificate in Investigation, see: here
If challenged at a hearing or tribunal (dare we mention inquest or court?) about your qualification(s) and competencies to perform the investigation task at least these qualifications go some way to assuaging those concerns. What qualifies you to investigate?
The journey continues!
In summary:
investigations can cost lives
competent, reliable, fulsome investigation is an investment - Invest to save
never equate position, status, or rank with investigation competency
ensure your investment in training attracts externally verified certification
once trained, invest in continuous development and reinforcing of learning
