The Metropolitan Police Child Abuse (renamed Protection in 1989) Team for Tower Hamlets, based in Bow, was the main user of the unit, and they provided the furniture and fittings through fund-raising activities. The Newham Child Protection Team and the City Police also used it. Specialist departments within the police force provided the recording and monitoring equipment for the unit, which was run by an experienced paediatric sister. Child victims were interviewed by police officers and social workers, and medical examinations were undertaken by consultant paediatricians and police surgeons. The majority of the victims had been sexually abused and the remainder were victims of physical abuse.

In 1991 the unit was moved to the Whitechapel site, with the centralisation of paediatric services in the Royal London Trust, and was situated on the 1st floor of Garden House in a purpose built suite.

In August 2001 the suite moved again, this time to the ground floor of Horace Evans House, in Ashfield Street as the 1st floor of Garden House was being adapted to accommodate the paediatric services from Barts.

At each move our facilities have improved! At Mile End we had a large room for the interviews and examinations, with an adjoining sister's office for the recording equipment and a small two-way mirror in between. This was situated at the end of a "Nightingale" style ward through which the suite was accessed. The video recordings were made through the mirror using a large VHS camera on a tripod, but unfortunately if the child moved out of camera range the camera had to be removed from the tripod and held! The microphone was suspended from a curtain rail. At that time we didn't tell the children about the recording until after the interview, but obviously the parents knew as they watched from the office, unless of course the parents were actually involved in the abuse or it was felt inappropriate for them to be there. After each interview the equipment had to be dismantled and locked away. I should mention that at this time the video recordings could not be used in the criminal court, but could and were only used in the family courts.

After the first move to Garden House we had an interview/examination room with an adjoining viewing room, plus an associated office and a shared waiting area. Within the interview area we had two cameras, one was static but showed the whole room, the other was movable and could zoom in and out, there were also four wall-mounted microphones and an induction loop system, whereby the controller could liaise with the interviewer through discreet ear-pieces. The suite was situated on the same floor as the outpatients department so visitors to the suite blended in with everyone else. We obviously had to be far more honest with the children and they were shown the entire suite before their interviews.

Officers using the suite had changed as the division of work within the police force was altered. When the suite was first used at Mile End Hospital the Child Protection Teams dealt with all child abuse; by the late 90s they were involved with family abuse and "sensitive" cases of abuse, i.e. professionals dealing with children (teachers, social workers, hospital employees etc). CID officers, who had undergone specific training in the art of interviewing children, dealt with all the other abuse. The British Transport Police also used the suite for Tower Hamlets children.

Following the more recent move to Horace Evans House we have an interview room, viewing room (which doubles as the sister's office), with a large two-way mirror in between, an examination room with en-suite shower and toilet facilities, a waiting room with toilet facilities and a kitchenette. All the monitoring equipment was transferred from Garden House.

Not all children that allege sexual abuse are examined; it depends whether or not they are prepared to undergo the examination, and what the allegations are. Unfortunately the legal profession are keen that children are examined although the findings are on the whole inconclusive. The sister arranges a mutually convenient time for both a consultant paediatrician and a forensic medical examiner, sets up and chaperones the examinations.

If the abuse has occurred some time before, it is not necessary to set up an immediate examination, although it is rather unfair on the child to delay the examination for too long, as they can become very anxious. For very recent abuse, examinations must be set up as soon as possible as any forensic evidence could be lost by delay, and the children cannot have showers or bathe until the examinations have been performed. There is also the possibility that the police are holding a suspect, which can only be for a set period of time before they have to be released.

There is also close liaison between the sister for child protection and the sister in the Rose clinic, so that appropriate swabs for sexually transmitted diseases are taken and follow-up can be arranged before they leave the hospital.

In respect of sexual offences where the alleged victim/ witness is under 17 years at the time the video is made (under 18 years at the time of the trial)

All the interviews follow a similar pattern;

• Introduction
• Rapport building
• Free narrative account
• Questioning
• Open ended questions
• Specific yet non-leading questions
• Closed questions
• Closing the interview

The Hatfield Suite is the envy of other child protection teams, and the integrated role of an experienced nurse has been highlighted as a shining example of good practice by senior police officers and the Area Child Protection Committee. The sister is able to support the child and family through what can be a very unpleasant and upsetting time, whilst they are in the suite. The parents can feel more relaxed and less intimidated, listening to the story that their child is telling in the company of a nurse, rather than a police officer. She is also able to support the police officers, who may have little experience at dealing with children. Although "Memorandum" trained, the CID officers are in the most part unused to dealing with children, particularly the very young. It is also difficult for them to switch from adult style interviews to child style interviews and from perpetrator to victim interviews. Unfortunately if a child's interview does not go well, they do not get another chance to disclose in an investigative setting.

One of the reasons the Hatfield Suite has been so successful is due to the working relationship between the nurse, police officers and social workers.

This relationship has been built purely on trust. By their very nature, police officers are not totally trusting of other professionals, and it took many months and in some cases years, for total acceptance of the nurse. Total trust has meant that for both interviews and medical examinations the atmosphere is relaxed, and all the parties concerned are coming from the same direction. Police officers regularly contact the sister during interviews, for advice and guidance as she has a unique overview of the interview. As a team we all give the same message, therefore diminishing any confusion that might arise.

The nurse fulfils a fairly unique role, as this is the only child protection unit, within the metropolitan area with a nurse so actively involved in its work.

Children's Services are committed to supporting the unit and its work.

In the future it is hoped that a "Haven" style sexual assault unit may be set up for both adults and children. It would be based within the Trust, and supported by the Metropolitan Police. "The Haven -Camberwell" is a centre based at King's College Hospital in South London and was opened in May 2000. It provides a service to all victims of serious sexual assault and has 24-hour opening and is staffed accordingly. Initially it was intended for adult use, but gradually the numbers of young people using the centre have increased.

1.  Report of the Inquiry into Child Abuse 1987.

2.  Working Together. HMSO 1988; revised edition 1991.

3.  Memorandum of Good Practice. HMSO 1992.