Appropriate Adult Service for Children & Young People & Vulnerable Adults

The aim of the Appropriate Adult (AA) Service is to provide trained Appropriate Adult volunteers to attend the Custody Suite in Quedgeley, Gloucestershire and other appropriate locations around Gloucestershire, as promptly as possible, with 100% attendance at all referrals meeting the criteria and to provide an effective and efficient Appropriate Adult service in Gloucestershire that will accord with the guidance and standards set out by the National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) which has been approved by the Home Office and Department of Health. This includes recruitment of volunteers, enhanced checks made with the Disclosure and Barring service (DBS), support, supervision, development and retention of volunteers, training and service delivery.

The service is provided to ensure that the voice of the individual is heard and that there is minimum delay in undertaking an interview for children/young people or vulnerable adults when held in custody.

The purpose of the scheme is to ensure that whenever a child/young person or vulnerable adult is held in custody ordinarily at a Police Station awaiting interview, and no family member friend, carer or involved professional is able or willing to attend, the interview is not delayed due to the unavailability of an Appropriate Adult (AA). The person needing the Appropriate Adult should be consulted regarding the choice of Appropriate Adult as there may be relationship issues with family members or involved professionals.

Occasionally an AA will be asked to attend a pre-arranged voluntary interview either at the custody suite or another police station or a pre-booked Age Assessment interview for an Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child (UASC).