Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019: child interview rights practitioners application guidance
We're inviting expressions of interest from children's solicitors to support children during police and social work investigative interviews into serious harmful behaviour.
Fees structure
Fixed appointment fee: £400
This flat fee covers your appointment as a ChIRP. It includes:
- reviewing available information, including the child's interview plan
- communicating with police officers, social workers and other relevant parties, such as the child's supporter, before and after the investigative interview
- consulting with the child before and after the interview
- preparing for the investigative interview
Reviewing the interview plan and liaising with police or social work: £110 fixed fee
If you receive the child's interview plan and realise you have a conflict of interest, you must withdraw. In this case, you cannot claim the fixed appointment fee.
If you become aware of a reason to withdraw after this point, you can claim for the work you've already carried out.
Attending the investigative interview: £110 to £220 per day
You must stay on-site throughout the interview, as the child may ask for you at any time. We'll pay you the same fee whether you're in the interview room with the child or elsewhere in the building.
If you attend but the child cannot attend the interview, we'll pay you £110 for making yourself available.
You can claim:
- £110 for attending for less than 2 hours
- up to £220 for attending for more than 2 hours
Travel time
We've included travel time in the fee structure, in line with the rates paid under the safeguarder scheme:
- under 4 hours: £30 fixed fee
- 4 to 6 hours round trip: £65 fixed fee
- 6 to 8 hours round trip: £130 fixed fee
- over 8 hours round trip: £150 fixed fee per day of travel
Calculate your travel time between your base or residence and the place you're visiting. Take the shortest practicable route and use the most effective form of transport.
Expenses and allowances
You can only claim expenses and allowances if you've incurred additional costs while carrying out your role as a ChIRP and attending the investigative interview. If you have, you can claim all expenses and allowances, including receipted costs and flat rate mileage payments, at the rates set out for safeguarders.
If you cannot get a receipt for an expense, such as paying for parking by phone, you can still claim it. You must explain why you don't have a receipt. There's a cap of £10 on expenses claimed without a receipt.
| Expense or allowance type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Bed and breakfast | Up to £75.00. Receipt required |
| Car hire | Receipt required |
| Car parking | Receipt required |
| Staying with a friend | £25.00 per 24 hours |
| Meals allowance | Up to £23.50 per 24 hours. Receipt required |
| Motor mileage rate | £0.45 per mile |
| Motor cycle allowance | £0.24 per mile |
| Pedal cycle allowance | £0.20 per mile |
| Passenger supplement | £0.05 per mile, per passenger |
| Overnight by train or boat | £24.10 per 24 hours |
| Public transport: air | Receipt or ticket required |
| Public transport: bus | Receipt or ticket required |
| Public transport: rail | Receipt or ticket required. Use standard class |
| Public transport: ferry | Receipt or ticket required |
| Public transport: taxi | Receipt or ticket required |
| Public transport: tube | Receipt or ticket required |
| Toll charges | Receipt or ticket required |
| Personal incidental expenses allowance | Up to £5.00 per day. Receipt required |
| Necessary ancillary administrative expenses | Receipt required |
| Miscellaneous | Receipt required |
Interpretation fees
If you need an interpreter, the Scottish Government will source and authorise this.
Claiming fees and expenses
When the investigative interview ends, send the Scottish Government a valid invoice for your fees and expenses. We'll provide further guidance on this after you register.