Neath Port Talbot YOT
Appropriate Adult Training
Claire Owen – Volunteer Co-ordinator
Introduction
 Introduce yourself to the group
 What type of volunteering have you done?
 One interesting fact about yourself
Experiences Being an AA
 Any Experiences of being an AA
 Questions?
 Any worries or concerns about being an
AA?
Objectives
At the end of the training participants will be able to:
Explain the role of AA as defined in the
PACE codes of practice
Identify the relevant personnel at the
police station
Understand the boundaries of the AA role
Objectives Continued…
• Understand the rights and responsibilities of an
Appropriate Adult
• Communicate effectively with detained persons
and relevant professionals within the police
station
• Work within the confidentiality procedures of an
AA
• Complete relevant monitoring forms
What is an Appropriate Adult?
 Independent/impartial adult to safeguard the
rights and civil liberties of a child or young
person (10-16 years old) who is detained by
police.
 The role of the AA is not to ascertain guilt or
otherwise of the young person who is detained.
 The AA is there to ensure the young persons
physical and emotional welfare is protected.
What is an AA cont…..
 The AA is to ensure ‘police procedures are
carried out correctly. That the young persons
rights as identified by law are protected and to
minimise the risk of the interview producing
unreliable evidence’
 It does not matter if you know the young person,
but it does matter if you have any details of the
offence prior to acting as an appropriate adult –
or if the young person tells you about the offence
– You cannot act as an AA in this case.
The Appropriate Adult
Under the Police and Criminal
Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 an
Appropriate Adult is Required if a
Person is:
The Appropriate Adult
• A Juvenile (aged 16 or under)
• Mentally Disordered
• Vulnerable Adult
In the Case of a Juvenile an
Appropriate Adult is Defined as:
• Parent or Guardian
• In case of a looked after child, the care authority
or voluntary organisation
• A Social Worker
• Failing any of the above, a responsible adult
aged 18 or over who is not a police officer or
employed by the police.
Group Exercise
 Working in groups….
 What qualities do you need to be an AA?
 What worries or concerns do you think a
young person may have about the process
of being in custody?
Exercise
 Roles and Responsibilities of an AA
Sequence of Procedures at the
police station
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Arrested
Conveyed to the Police Station
Booked into custody
Fingerprinted/Photographed/DNA
Placed in a cell
Call made to the solicitor
Call made for Appropriate Adult
Interview
Decision
Disposal
:
Charged (bail or remand)
Bail
NFA
Reprimand/final warning
The Appropriate Adult is Required at
the following key stages in the process
• When the young person is informed of his or her
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rights
During a strip or intimate search
During any interviews
At the point of case disposal
When the young person takes part in an
identification procedure
Legal Advice
Neath Port Talbot Youth Offending Team
have a policy that we will NOT undertake
Appropriate Adult duties unless a solicitor
is present.
The duty solicitor who attends the police
station is called by the police but is not
employed by them. Detainees can identify
their own solicitor if they have one
Legal Advice
The Appropriate Adult is not there to give
legal advice
The Appropriate Adult has the right to
request legal representation for the
detained person
However the detained person cannot be
made to speak to the legal representative
Who’s Who at the Police Station
• Police Constable – Will often be the rank
involved in the arrest and interview of
detainees.
• Detective Constable – Will sometimes be
involved in the arrest and interview, likely
in more serious cases or specific
operations such as crackdowns on
burglaries or robberies.
Who’s Who at the Police Station
• Police Sergeant – Custody Sergeants have all
achieved this rank. Very important liaison point
for the Appropriate Adult. Personally
responsible for the welfare of all those in the
custody area.
• Inspector – Undertakes detention time reviews.
Should be a duty inspector available on each
shift to deal with more serious concerns.
Who’s Who at the Police Station
• Superintendent – May be called upon to give
permission for certain identification to be taken
where consent is withheld.
• Civilian Security Workers – contract held by
Securicor in Neath.
Other People at the Police Station
• Forensic Medical Examiner or Health Care
Professional – This is the doctor who the police
will call when they believe that anyone is in need
of some form of medical input.
• Arrest Referral Workers – They visit the police
station in relation to issues detainees may have
around drugs or mental health.
Other People at the Police Station
• Independent Custody Suite Visitor – These
people are volunteers recruited and trained by
the independent custody suite visitors scheme.
Their role is to call randomly at police stations to
ensure procedures are being followed.
• Interpreters – Called by the police to assist for
those with language needs. Appropriate Adults
can request an interpreter as necessary.
On Arrival at the Police Station:
• Confirm your identity as the Appropriate Adult
• Once in custody suite, introduce yourself to the
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custody sergeant
Ask for a copy of the custody record
Ask if the young person has received the
appropriate reviews e.g. Medical, food etc.
Establish name of solicitor (May vary)
Ask to speak to Young Person
When speaking to the Young Person:
• Explain who you are and why you are there.
(The young person has the right to see the AA
alone, but should not discuss the offence.)
• Check conditions of detention and welfare of
young person and fitness for interview
• Ensure the Custody Officer gives the young
person his/her rights in your presence and that
they understand
During the Interview:
• At the beginning of the interview the young
person is cautioned and you must ensure that
he/she understands its implications.
• On introduction, the interviewing officer will
highlight everyone that is present in the room
(You will be expected to say your name and
that you are the appropriate adult.)
During the Interview Continued…
The arresting officer will remind you that:
• You are not expected to act simply as an observer,
and the purpose of your presence is to:
– Advise the person being questioned
– Observe whether or not the interview is being conducted
properly and fairly.
– Facilitate communication with the person being
interviewed.
– Do you understand?: You should acknowledge that you
do
During the Interview Continued…
• You should, prevent oppressive or leading
questions and intervene to clarify if questions are
misunderstood.
• You can ask for a break at any stage if you believe
that the young person is becoming confused, tired
or distraught.
• It is best not to take notes during the interview
• When the interview ends you will be asked to
countersign the tape seals if you are satisfied they
are a true record of the interview.
What should NOT happen in an
interview
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Inappropriate familiarity by the interviewing officer
Interviewer repeatedly interrupting detainee’s answers
Interview raising voice, shouting or using foul language
Interviewer standing during the interview
Excessive repetitive questions
Inappropriate questioning e.g. about unrelated matters
Detainee unable to understand questions
Detainee upset, confused or very agitated
After the Interview:
• If the young person is charged, accompany
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him/her through the fingerprinting, photographs,
and/or DNA testing. These can be taken
without consent.
Check transport arrangements for the young
person
Check and countersign any property return
Check/Confirm arrangements for return home
Do NOT take the young person home!
Maximum Waiting Times
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Reception – 30 Minutes
Custody Suite – 30 Minutes
CPS/Disposal Decision – 45 Minutes
Average Length of visit – 3 hours
Waiting Times Will Vary
Depending on the severity of the Offence
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The Disposal Decision
No Further Action
Police Reprimand
Final Warning
Bail to return (Explained below)
Charged / Released
Charged / Detained
Bail Conditions
• Curfew
• Not to Consume Alcohol
• Not to Contact Witness • Not to enter a certain area
(e.g. Town Centre)
 LUNCH BREAK !!!
NAAN - DVD
Exercise – The Criminal Justice System
 Police Station AA
Diversion
 Crown Prosecution Service
Diversion
 Court:
 Youth/Magistrates/Crown
 Not Guilty Plea
Guilty Plea
 Trial
Convicted
 Acquitted
Sentenced
 Fine
 Discharge
 Referral Order (Youths)
Psychiatric
Services or
Secure
Accom
Community Order
Custody
Rights of the detainee and
guidelines for detention
 Rights:
 To have someone informed of their arrest.
 To free independent legal advice
 To consult the Codes of Practice, setting out the powers,
responsibilities and procedures of the police
 NOTE: These are continuing rights, which may be exercised at any
stage in the person’s custody period
 Entitlements:
 Reasonable standards of physical comfort, adequate food and drink,
access to toilet and washing facilities, clothing, medical attention
and exercise where practicable.
 Limit of detention:
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A person may be detained in police custody for up to 24 hours without charge, this is known as
the ‘limit of detention’.
The period of time begins from the time the person arrives at the custody suite
This time can be extended to 36 hours but only in the most serious cases, and with the consent of
the superintendent.
 Review Times:
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Reviews occur after the person has been in detention for no more than 6 hours, then again at 9
hours after the first review and again after 9 hours after the second review.
The review checks that there is a need for the person to remain in custody
That the investigation is taking place quickly and efficiently
That the person is aware of their rights etc.
 Rest Periods:
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PACE states that in any period of 24 hours detention a person is entitled to an uninterrupted rest
period of 8 hours, usually at night.
 Meals and Refreshments:
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At least 2 light meals and 1 main meal must be offered in a 24 hours period.
Meals should be provided at regular meal times, or taking into account when the person last had a
meal.
Drinks should be provided at meal times where practicable
Before leaving the Police Station
• Complete PACE monitoring form and
contact YOT / EDT to notify of outcome
• Discuss any concerns or queries with
appropriate YOT / EDT personnel
NOTE – PACE forms are to be returned
back to the Port Talbot YOT offices within
24 hours!
Rights and Responsibilities
You have the right to:
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Be treated with respect by police and solicitors
See the custody record
Speak to the young person before the interview
Intervene and comment in the interview
Carry out the role in a Healthy and Safe
environment.
Rights and Responsibilities
You should be:
• Familiar with the PACE Codes of Practice
• Aware of the roles of the Custody Officer,
the interviewing officer and the solicitor
• Confident in the role
• Assertive
• Non-Judgemental
Confidentiality
Confidentiality and the Appropriate Adult
Appropriate Adults need to make young
people aware of the limits of confidentiality
in their role at the outset. Due to the
nature of the role and circumstances,
confidentiality is rarely going to be
appropriate as the majority of information
relates to detention and is recorded.
DVD – Plymouth YOT
Paperwork
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PACE Monitoring Form
Appropriate Adult Information Pack
Expenses
The AA Rota
Appropriate Adult
QUIZ
Parameters
Exercise
Objectives
At the end of the training participants will be able to:
Explain the role of AA as defined in the
PACE codes of practice
Identify the relevant personnel at the
police station
Understand the boundaries of the AA role
Objectives Continued…
• Understand the rights and responsibilities of an
Appropriate Adult
• Communicate effectively with detained persons
and relevant professionals within the police
station
• Work within the confidentiality procedures of an
AA
• Complete relevant monitoring forms
Questions?
 Please feel free to ask any questions you
may have…..
 PACE forms/Travel Expenses Forms
 Certificates 
 Evaluation Forms
End of Session
Useful Websites:
• www.appropriateadult.org.uk
• www.police.homeoffice.gov.uk