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Being an appropriate adult
By law, all children need an adult to be present during interview to improve communication between police and the young person, and to look out for the young person’s welfare. This is usually the parent, but it may not always be possible for a parent or carer to accompany that young person at the police station – for example, if the parent is a victim of, or party to, the crime, or if they have other children who can’t be left at home.
On these occasions a social worker or the local youth offending team (YOT) will ask a volunteer appropriate adult to accompany the young person who has just been arrested.
The appropriate adult is there to ensure that the young person’s interests are represented and their rights are protected. But the role also involves generally supporting them, for instance, making sure he or she has eaten.
The appropriate adult usually stays with the young person until release or charge.
The training you would receive before being able to work as an appropriate adult would cover the following.
- Role of the appropriate adult
- The police process
- The police and criminal evidence codes
- Who’s who at the police station
- Understanding instructions, custody records and paperwork
- Visit to a custody suite
- Boundaries and dilemmas
- Dealing with challenging behaviour
Further information about being an appropriate adult is available on the National Appropriate Adult Network website [opens in a new window].
If you are interested in becoming an appropriate adult, contact your local youth offending team.