lesley@lesleylaver.com

(+44) 023 81 55 00 44

About Lesley Laver

Lesley Laver is a Registered Intermediary and Legal Psychologist with an in-depth understanding of the psychological demands of investigative interviewing and criminal justice processes. She is passionate about the need for young people, vulnerable adults (and everyone!) to be heard properly when it matters most. Having worked in educational, legal and community settings with children and adults with a range of disabilities and mental health needs, Lesley is experienced in identifying barriers to participation and working closely with other professionals to develop solutions for improved engagement. She works with police forces and other organisations in the UK and abroad to improve understanding of the impact of vulnerability on engagement and the quality of evidence obtained through interview. Having taught and researched at UK and EU universities, Lesley is also experienced in planning and delivering lectures, hosting international events and managing research teams. She has strong analytical and computing abilities and is involved in large-scale funded research projects. She is DBS and MoJ/NCA cleared for work with vulnerable children and carries professional indemnity for all consultancy, research and Intermediary work in the UK and abroad.

Qualifications

• MSc Forensic Psychology (with Distinction) – University of Portsmouth 2015
• Graduate Diploma in Psychology (with Distinction) – University of Winchester 2012
• Graduate Certificate in Psychology (with Distinction) – London Metropolitan University 2011
• LLB (Honours) Law (Upper Second Class) – University of Southampton 2005
• A Level: Law; Sociology; Critical Thinking; Politics; Computing – Sir Richard Taunton College 2002

Affiliations

• British Psychological Society: Division of Forensic Psychology
• International Investigative Interviewing Research Group (IIIRG)
• European Society of Criminology: Thematic Working Group on Juvenile Justice
• National Association of Youth Justice
• National Police Working Group for Children in Custody

Publications, Presentations and Invited Talks

Laver, L. (2019) Children as Suspects. In Pycroft, A & Gough, D. (Eds.) Multi-agency Working in Criminal Justice: Theory, Policy and Practice. Bristol: Policy Press.

von Berg, P., Harris, R., Bath, C., Bevan, M. & Laver, L (2019). Obtaining best evidence from child suspects in police custody. Online: https://www.academia.edu/38203597/Obtaining_best_evidence_from_child_suspects_in_police_custody

Laver, L. Assessing vulnerability in juvenile suspects. Vulnerability, Justice and Communication Conference. 16^th-17^th May 2019. University of Portsmouth, UK.

Laver, L. Vulnerability in juvenile suspects. Youth Criminal Law lecture. 14^th March 2019. Faculty of Law, Maastricht University, Netherlands.

Laver, L. Psychiatric disorders in the legal system. Lecture in Psychology for Law students. 11^th March 2019. Faculty of Law, University of Antwerp, Belgium.

Laver, L. Assessment of Child Suspects. Obtaining best evidence from child suspects in police custody: challenges and opportunities. Interdisciplinary Research Conference. 30^th Nov 2018. University of Plymouth, UK.

Laver, L. What vulnerability looks like in the child suspect. International Investigative Interviewing Research Group 11th Annual Conference. 4th –6th July 2018, Portuguese Catholic University, Porto, Portugal.

Laver, L and Huang, C.Y. Interagency dynamics and the fundamental rights of the child. International Investigative Interviewing Research Group 11th Annual Conference. 4th –6th July 2018, Portuguese Catholic University, Porto, Portugal.

Laver, L and Lewis, E.R. Cultural and language considerations in the suspect interview. Poster presented at the International Investigative Interviewing Research Group 11th Annual Conference. 4th –6th July 2018, Portuguese Catholic University, Porto, Portugal.

Laver, L. Does psychology matter? Dealing with cognition, emotion and behaviour in the interrogation and courtroom. Thomas More CPD Masterclass.7^th November 2017, University of Antwerp, Belgium.

Laver, L. Protecting child suspects: International approaches to the investigation of juvenile crime. Proceedings of the British Psychological Society. Poster presented at The 25^th Division of Forensic Psychology Annual Conference. 14^th June 2016, Hilton Brighton Metropole, East Sussex.

Bournemouth University Staff/Student Co-creation Grant: Children as suspects of crime. November 2017.

International Investigative Interviewing Research Group Grant. Academic/practitioner collaboration for child suspects in interview. November 2017.

Laver, L. ADHD: Strategies for support. Additional Learning Support Staff Training. 25^th October 2017, Bournemouth University, UK.

Laver, L. ADHD: Lived experience. Additional Learning Support Annual Staff Conference. 14^th June 2017, Bournemouth University, UK.

Laver, L. Inside the mind of a child suspect. Children, Justice and Communication. 5^th May 2017, The Centre for Forensic Interviewing, University of Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Laver, L. Dynamics of domestic abuse. Prepared for Anything: Women’s Self Defence Workshop. 5^th March 2017, Southampton, UK.

Laver, L. Interviewing child suspects. Police Psychological Services Division, Singapore Police. 29^th July 2016. Police Cantonment Complex, Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore.

Laver, L. Interpersonal connectedness and readiness to change.New Perspectives on Risk and Rehabilitation – British Psychological Society Seminar. 15^th February 2016, University of Portsmouth, UK.

Laver, L. Barriers to change in resistant offenders: Attachment as a predictor of change readiness. Proceedings of the British Psychological Society. Presented at The 24^th Division of Forensic Psychology Annual Conference. 3^rd July 2015, University of Manchester, Greater Manchester.

Bray, J., McIntyre, C. and Laver, L. The use of mobile eye-tracking in evaluating retail store design. 2^nd International  Colloquium on Design, Branding and Marketing. 9^th-10^th December 2014, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire. Awarded Best Paper.

Laver, L. Barriers to change in resistant offenders: Obstacles in the change process. Proceedings of the British Psychological Society. Presented at The Wessex Branch Student Conference. 10^th May 2014, University of Guildford, Surrey.