This model was developed by Professor John Baldwin in the early 90s to support police officers with holding engaging interviews with victims, witnesses and suspects.
Although the model was developed and is still used in policing it can be translated into almost any area of work as it focuses on building rapport, establishing the key facts in a situation, setting out clear objectives, working in partnership and giving all those involved an opportunity to share their side of the story.
Planning and Preparation
This can be the most important part of the process, some things you might need to think about in your preparation:
- Venue - where would the person be most comfortable?
- Time - what works for them (and you)?
- Know who you're meeting with - think about their needs.
- Have a plan in place - how do you want the conversation to flow? Think about your structure, write some curious questions.
- Have your data to refer to if you need it.
- Have an objective in mind - what do you want to achieve from the conversation?
Engage and Explain
- Ask them how they are - be warm and welcoming
- Start the meeting in a positive way, perhaps with a neutral topic.
- Think about your body language and tone (and that of the person that you're talking to).
- Explain the purpose of the meeting and make sure that everyone understands why they are there.
- Explain you are there to help.
- Ask engaging questions, BE CURIOUS!
- Engage with active listening - this will help to make the person that you're talking to feel validated.
- If you can put any laptops away, and have your phone in your pocket or turned over so you're not distracted by the screen.
All of the above should help to reduce any anxiety and open up the opportunity to really engage.
Account clarification
- As the conversation progresses ask some closed questions.
- Once the account has been shared make sure that you use reflective questions to check that you've correctly interpreted what's been said.
- Look for any non verbal cues as well as listening to what's been said.
- Try to form 'topics' in your head to help to determine what support can be provided (make notes and make sure that the participants know why you're making those notes).
Closure
- Think back to your objective - has this been met, or has it changed as the conversation has progressed and you have a better understanding of the situation?
- Summarise the discussion back to the person/group to check that everyone understands.
- Talk about what will happen next/when the next meeting or communication will be. Keep the lines of communication open as much as possible.
- Book in a date for the next meeting if this will help.
Evaluation
Take time to reflect after the meeting, even if it's in the 5 minutes following the conversation.
- What went well?
- What could you do differently next time?
- Is there anything specific that you could do that would support in future meetings? Anything to avoid?
- If you're with a colleague talk it through together.
- Did you achieve your objective? Did your preparation help? If your objective changed during the meeting, why and what will you do differently as a result?
The PEACE model can be applied to many of our day-to-day conversations to enable us to engage with and build working relationships with our local communities.
Learning reflection
- Do you regularly have conversations with different people in your school community?
- Could this model help you to engage with families?
- Use the model to support you with your next meeting with a family or member of the school community.
