The full title is Achieving best evidence in criminal proceedings: guidance on interviewing victims and witnesses, and guidance on using special measures. The current, fourth edition was published by the Ministry of Justice in January 2022 and updated in June 2023. It covers planning and conducting interviews, preparing witnesses for court and special measures for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses, such as giving evidence by video link.
Working Together 2026 says that during section 47 enquiries, where a joint interview of the child is part of a criminal investigation, social workers and police should follow this guidance (paragraph 256, "Initiating section 47 enquiries").
School staff don't carry out ABE interviews. Their part comes earlier, and it matters: a child's first account to a trusted adult should be listened to with open prompts, written down in the child's own words, and passed to the DSL, without repeated or leading questions. That protects the quality of any later interview. KCSIE 2026 asks the DSL to work closely with the police so the school's actions don't jeopardise an investigation (paragraph 603).
A school may be asked to provide a quiet room, a familiar adult for support or information about the child's communication needs. Follow police and social care advice on what to tell parents and the child.