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PACE vulnerability videos

A suite of training videos focused on the concept of a 'vulnerable person' under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

These videos are designed to support learning, whether it is formal or informal, tutor-led or self-directed. They can be used with a range of professionals, including: 
  • police officers
  • police staff
  • healthcare staff
  • liaison and diversion staff
  • appropriate adults
  • lawyers
  • intermediaries

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"I am incredibly impressed (and grateful) for the vulnerability videos and vulnerability tracker on your website. I delivered the vulnerability input on the Custody Sergeant course this morning for 2 hours and used all of the videos. Really good feedback from the delegates and love the product. They are so good that I have instructed our training team to use exclusively on the ongoing Custody Officer course (and going forward).  I have also asked the investigation improvement lead to consider including them on the Detective PIP2 development course. Thank you for producing these and for your ongoing commitment to ensuring detainee’s needs are catered for".

Inspector Anton Menzies (Custody Performance & Governance, South Yorkshire Police)

1: The risks to justice

This session:

  • highlights the importance of understanding and applying the PACE vulnerability provisions in order to safeguard justice
  • explains how certain conditions and contexts can make people and investigations vulnerable to unreliable evidence, which can lead to miscarriages of justice or failed prosecutions
  • highlights cases where individuals defined as vulnerable under PACE did not have an appropriate adult present
  • emphasises the need for appropriate support, such as appropriate adults, to ensure fair and reliable evidence and prevent injustices in the criminal justice system

2: Defining PACE vulnerability

This session:

  • focuses on the definition of a "vulnerable person" in PACE and when the appropriate adult safeguard is required
  • highlights that the phrase "vulnerable person" can have different meanings in different contexts and explains that PACE defines vulnerability based on the reliability of evidence
  • emphasizes that PACE vulnerability can arise from various factors and can change over time.
  • explains the functional and dynamic nature of the PACE vulnerability definition
  • provides examples of the six vulnerability factors outlined in PACE, along with associated psychological phenomena and conditions.

3: Identifying PACE vulnerability

This session:

  • focuses on identifying PACE vulnerability in practice
  • explores the role of police officers and staff, healthcare, liaison and diversion, and other professionals, in the identification process
  • provides guidance on sources of relevant information about potential PACE vulnerability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who created these videos?

The project was a partnership between Dr Roxanna Dehaghani of Cardiff University and the National Appropriate Adult Network. 

  • Script and voiceover by Chris Bath and Dr Roxanna Dehaghani. 
  • Ilustration by Scott Spencer.
  • Animation by John Brown.
Does my organisation need permission to use the videos?

Our PACE vulnerabililty videos are freely available online to all users.

But please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let us know you're using them and how. 

How can I give you feedback?

We'd love to hear feedback from anyone about the videos, especially what difference they have made to professional practice. Just click here to complete a short feedback survey. 

Visiting on a mobile device?

We recommend turning your device to landscape mode and selecting the expand icon (bottom right of each video)

Other PACE vulnerability resources

Being an appropriate adult

This session:

  • focuses on the role of the appropriate adult as defined in PACE 1984 and Code C
  • explores the purpose and objectives of the AA function in safeguarding the interests of a vulnerable suspect
  • explains how AAs can achieve their objectives through a range of rights and powers

This video was created in partnership with Dr Miranda Bevan, to help inform family members (and other untrained AAs) about the role. It can be shared by police forces when asking a family member to act as AA, and included in the training of officers and staff.

PACE vulnerability and AAs

The slide deck for the training session upon which the PACE vunerability videos were based.

What defines vulnerable?

A simple video setting out the definition of vulnerability in PACE Code C from 2018 (2 minutes)

NAAN PACE update (July 2018)

A comprehensive guide to the changes to PACE vulnerability in 2018

Criminal Law Review

A detailed article aimed at lawyers and legal academics

Interested in knowing more ...?

Policy

Identifying vulnerability

Every month, thousands of people with additional needs go unidentified when detained or questioned by police in England and Wales.

This means many people, including those with learning disabilities, mental illnesses, and neurodiverse people, do not get the support of an appropriate adult as required by law.

Read more
Policy

Vulnerable people

We're are not just working on identification. Did you know that while local authorities have a legal duty to provide an appropriate adult for children, there's no equivalent duty to provide one for vulnerable adults?

Click below to find out more, and catch up on our latest activities, updates and media.

Read more
Information

About AAs

The role of the appropriate adult is to safeguard the interests, rights, entitlements and welfare of children and vulnerable people who are suspected of a criminal offence, by ensuring that they are treated in a fair and just manner, and are able to participate effectively.

Discover more about the appropriate adult role, and find your local scheme.

Read more