Guidance

Being an appropriate adult

Updated 18 December 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-appropriate-adults/being-an-appropriate-adult

Guidance for people asked to be an appropriate adult:

  • in a criminal investigation, or
  • when a relevant person has been detained for a strip search but is not under arrest

When an appropriate adult is needed

An appropriate adult is needed whenever a:

is either:

There are different forms of support for victims and witnesses.

Guidance on the role

The appropriate adult’s role is to safeguard the child or vulnerable person’s interests. This includes their rights, entitlements, and welfare.

The rights and responsibilities of the appropriate adult are set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Code of Practice C. Amongst other things, the appropriate adult is expected to:

  • support, advise and assist the person when they are given, or asked to provide, information or participate in any procedure
  • help them to communicate, whilst respecting their right to say nothing unless they want to
  • help them to understand their rights and make sure those rights are protected and respected
  • observe whether the police are acting properly and fairly and tell a more senior police officer if they are not

The role of the appropriate adult is very important:

  • Some procedures cannot take place without an appropriate adult present, except in very limited circumstances. These procedures include interviews, some types of searches (such as those involving the exposure of intimate body parts)  and giving consent when required.
  • It is a person’s right to speak privately with their appropriate adult at any time while they are in police detention or attending a voluntary interview.
  • Appropriate adults can ensure legal advice is available in a police station, even if a child or vulnerable person says they do not want it.

When you may be asked

You may be asked to be the appropriate adult if you are:

  • a parent or guardian of the child
  • a representative of the organisation responsible for caring for the child
  • a relative, guardian or carer for the vulnerable person
  • an adult who knows the child or vulnerable person
  • another responsible adult independent of the police

The requirement for an appropriate adult begins as soon as a custody officer decides to place someone in police detention. The police must contact you as soon as possible and ask you to come to the police station.

If the person is attending a voluntary interview, a time and place will be agreed with the police regarding appropriate adult attendance.

If the person has been detained under stop and search powers for a strip search, the police will contact you and ask you to go to where the person has been detained.

Local schemes

If you are not able to be the appropriate adult, a person from a local scheme of appropriate adults may be asked to attend.

Appropriate adult schemes are independent of the police.

It is the police’s responsibility to request an independent appropriate adult. You do not need to contact a scheme.

Most schemes are members of the charity, the National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN). Schemes should operate in line with the approved national standards.

Trained appropriate adults may be paid or volunteers. If you are interested in joining a local appropriate adult scheme, you will find information on the NAAN website.

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