Appropriate Adult
Police custody processing can be distressing, especially for a person who is vulnerable.
If a person is deemed vulnerable, the police will request an independent third party attends to support their welfare. We provide Appropriate Adult Volunteers to Cleveland Police on a 24/7 basis.
Our Appropriate Adults safeguard the interests, rights, entitlements and welfare of vulnerable adults 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 in the custody process.
Who is this service for?
Our Appropriate Adults support vulnerable adults aged 18+ who have been suspected of an offence and are being dealt with by Cleveland Police under PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act).
An adult could be deemed vulnerable if they struggle with poor mental health, have a history of substance misuse or learning disabilities.
What help do we provide?
As part of the service we provide to Cleveland Police, we ensure there is at least one volunteer available per shift who can attend custody to
- support, advise and assist the service user when they are given or asked to provide information or participate in any procedure
- observe whether the police are acting properly and fairly to respect the service user’s rights and entitlements
- assist the service user to communicate with the police whilst respecting their right to say nothing unless they want to, as set out in the terms of the caution
- help the service user to understand their rights and ensure that those rights are protected and respected
Many police processes can’t take place without an Appropriate Adult and our volunteers are expected to be an active participant.
How do we deliver this service?
Our team of amazing volunteers provide support 24/7 and attend Police Custody to help those vulnerable adults in need.
We’re forever grateful to them for giving their time so selflessly to help others.
How can you get involved?
Would you consider joining our passionate team of volunteers to support vulnerable people in police custody? We’re always looking for people to join our team and make a difference.
We offer training and support to enable you to take on the role and work closely with you every step of the way.
You can find out more about what it’s like to be a volunteer with us or you can look at the role description below and apply today.
Resources you may find useful
If you’re interested in learning more about the role of an Appropriate Adult and the difference our volunteers make, then this is a great resource
“The service provided by the Appropriate Adult Service at Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind is exceptional. We couldn’t do what we do without their support and the difference they make to the lives of so many local people is truly commendable.”
