An appropriate adult is required for:
- Every person under 18
- People aged 18 or over who may be 'vulnerable'.
By law, the police must:
- identify people who may be vulnerable (inculding by making 'reasonable enquiries')
- secure an appropriate adult.
The police are not allowed to provide the appropriate adult. This is because an appropriate adult must be indepedent from the police. They cannot be:
- a police officer
- a police employee
- under contract to the poilce
- under the control or direction of the police.
Children
If a person is under 18, the police have to start by thinking about whether a parent or guardian can be the appropriate adult.
Adults
If a person is 18 or older, and would prefer a family member to be the appropriate adult, the police should respect their wishes if possible.
When it can't be a family member
Sometimes it is not possible for a parent or other family member to be the appropriate adult. This might be because they:
- are caring for others
- have work committments
- may be involved in the investigation, such as being a victim or witness
- a child objects to an estranged parent
- an adult does not wish to have them involved.
Alternatives to family
One alternative is for the appropriate adult to be someone who knows the child or adult professionally. For example, this could be a charity, community or social worker.
Another alternative is using the local appropriate adult scheme. These are groups of people who are trained to be appropriate adults.
If you feel you need to get an appropriate adult for yourself, or for someone you know, you should tell the police why an appropriate adult is needed (see Who do appropriate adults support?). The police will have the contact details for the local organised scheme.
Please note that NAAN does not provide appropriate adults.
