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Appropriate adults provided for vulnerable people questioned under caution: implications for policy of the Criminal Justice Review in Northern Ireland
- Authors:
- BREWIN Sheree, BAILEY Andrew
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 7(1), June 2005, pp.4-14.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article describes the current guidance in the Police and Criminal Evidence (NI) Order and associated codes of practice as they relate to the detention and questioning of juveniles and vulnerable adults. The provision of appropriate adults services is described with reference to a recent study and recommendation made in the Criminal Justice Review, commissioned as part of the Good Friday Agreement.
Striking the right balance: police experience, perceptions and use of independent support persons during interviews involving people with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- HENSHAW Marie, SPIVAK Benjamin, THOMAS Stuart D. M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(2), 2018, pp.e201-e211.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Several jurisdictions mandate the presence of an independent support person during police interviews with vulnerable people. The current study investigated police officers’ experiences and perceptions of these volunteers during interviews with people with intellectual disability(ies) (ID). Methods: The sample comprised 229 police officers who attended a mandatory firearms training course in Melbourne, Australia, in 2010. Results: Participants commonly reported utilising independent support persons and displayed a fair understanding of their role. Overall, volunteers were engaged more frequently than family/friends; police considered the volunteers to be more impartial during interviews, whereas family/friends provided a greater level of emotional support to interviewees. Conclusions: Independent support persons need to demonstrate two quite different types of support to people with intellectual disability(ies) during police interviews; these require quite different skill sets and suggest the need for more tailored training and support for these volunteers. Implications for future research and policy are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
There to help: ensuring provision of appropriate adults for mentally vulnerable adults detained or interviewed by police
- Authors:
- BATH Chris, et al
- Publisher:
- National Appropriate Adult Network
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 19
Examines current appropriate adult (AA) arrangements for vulnerable adults, identifying shortcomings in provision, and setting out recommendations for ensuring provision for all who need it. This briefing paper is based on a research project which entailed a review of existing literature and law, new data from police forces, liaison and diversion services, AA services and custody officers and interviews and consultation involving senior stakeholders and individuals with direct experience of the criminal justice system. The paper highlights that there are significant shortcomings in current AA provision, particularly in terms of inadequate police practices and limited availability and variable quality of AAs. Many vulnerable adults do not receive the support of an AA or receive it only for part of the custody process. The underlying causes of these findings include: the absence of statutory duties either to secure or to provide AAs for vulnerable adults; lack of appropriate training and screening tools for police; time pressures in the custody suite; diminishing public sector funding and a lack of clarity over responsibility for commissioning. On the basis of a conservative estimate, 11 per cent of adult suspects require an AA. The annual cost of ensuring full provision of trained AAs from organised schemes, throughout the custody process and across England and Wales, is estimated at £19.5 million (£113,000 per local authority). Current national spending on AA provision for adults is estimated to be in excess of £3 million per year. The report calls for the development of a new approach at a national strategic level and a vision shared by relevant departmental bodies, agencies and organisations. (Edited publisher abstract)
There to help 2: ensuring provision of appropriate adults for vulnerable adults detained or interviewed by police
- Author:
- BATH Chris
- Publisher:
- National Appropriate Adult Network
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 115
- Place of publication:
- Ashford
Based on Freedom of Information Act requests to police forces in England and Wales, this report provides an updated on the need for, and access to, appropriate adults (AA) for vulnerable adults in police custody. Vulnerable adults may have a mental illness, learning disability, brain injury or autism. The report provides information on: the identification of need for an AA amongst adult suspects; the application of the AA safeguard (the extent to which vulnerable adult suspects actually receive the support of an AA); and the availability of organised AA provision in England and Wales. Based on police figures, the report finds that in the 12 months ending 31st March 2018 at least 111,445 police detentions and voluntary interviews of vulnerable adult suspects were carried out without the support of an 'appropriate adult'. It also found that where police had no access to an organised AA scheme, they were half as likely to record an adult as needing one. Despite being a key recommendation of There to Help (2015), local authorities are only legally required to run schemes for children, not for vulnerable adults. The report makes a number of recommendations. (Edited publisher abstract)
There to help: ensuring provision of appropriate adults for mentally vulnerable adults detained or interviewed by police
- Authors:
- BATH Chris, et al
- Publisher:
- National Appropriate Adult Network
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 88
- Place of publication:
- Ashford
Report to examine appropriate adults (AA) arrangements for vulnerable adults who are detained or interviewed by police, identify shortcomings in provision and present recommendations for ensuring full AA provision for all vulnerable adults. The project involved a review of existing literature and law; data collected from police forces, liaison and diversion services, AA services and custody officers; and interviews and consultation involving senior stakeholders and individuals with direct experience of the criminal justice system. The main findings identified significant shortcomings in current AA provision for mentally vulnerable adult suspects, particularly in terms of: inadequate police practices with respect to identification of suspects’ vulnerabilities and the need for AAs, and the recording of relevant data; limited availability of AAs; variable quality of AAs. It found that many vulnerable adults did not receive the support of an AA or receive it only for part of the custody process. Barriers to the provision of adequate services included: the absence of statutory duties either to secure or to provide AAs for vulnerable adults; lack of appropriate training and screening tools for police; time pressures in the custody suite; diminishing public sector funding and a lack of clarity over responsibility for commissioning. The report makes 10 recommendations to improve the level and quality of provision. (Edited publisher abstract)
Re-assessing the social worker's role as an appropriate adult
- Author:
- WHITE Ciaran
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 24(1), 2002, pp.55-65.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The role of the appropriate adult is a small but significant element of the criminal justice system, designed to offer some degree of protection to particular categories of vulnerable person suspects; namely juveniles and mentally disordered persons in police detention. The role is quite often performed by social workers, though it is not exclusive to them. However, authorities have given little detailed thought as to how the duties of the appropriate adult are to be complied with and it appears that very often social workers are not trained in performing the role. This article suggests that we re-appraise our expectations of those asked to fill the role of the appropriate adult, offering them more detailed guidance on specific issues. It also explores how organized training could help social workers to discharge the role in a manner commensurate with its spirit.
The role of the appropriate adult in supporting vulnerable adults in custody: comparing the perspectives of service users and service providers
- Authors:
- JESSIMAN Tricia, CAMERON Ailsa
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 45(4), 2017, p.246=252.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Accessible Summary: 1) When a vulnerable adult is in police custody, they should have someone with them to help them understand what is happening. This person is called an appropriate adult (AA); 2) Previous research has shown that the role of the AA is not always well understood. This study compares the views of both professionals and vulnerable adults; 3) Adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems said looking after them and helping them communicate were the most important things an AA should do; 4) Like other studies have shown, not all adults who should be provided with an AA in custody have had one. This may be because no agency has a statutory duty to provide one. This study recommends that AA services should try and engage more effectively with vulnerable adults. Background: Police custody sergeants have a duty to secure an AA to safeguard the rights and welfare of vulnerable people detained or questioned by the police. This study focuses on the role of the AA in supporting vulnerable adults and seeks to examine what stakeholders would expect from an effective AA service. Methods: This was a qualitative study of four AA services in England. Interviews were undertaken with 25 professionals, and two focus groups were held with service-user groups (13 participants). Results: There is disparity between the expectations of professionals, and service users, on what comprises an effective service. Professionals tend to prioritise the availability and response time of AAs, while service users prioritise their personal attributes and demeanour. Conclusions: Professionals involved in commissioning and management of AA services should monitor whether the rights of vulnerable adults in custody are protected and better engage vulnerable adults beyond service delivery. (Edited publisher abstract)
Appropriate adults and appropriate adult schemes: service user, provider and police perspectives
- Editor:
- LITTLECHILD Brian
- Publisher:
- Venture Press
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 129p.bibliogs.
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
Examines the provision and practice of appropriate adults who attend vulnerable groups, including juveniles, those with learning disabilities or mental health problems held in police custody. looks at the weakness of provision and practice and asks how might appropriate adult services be provided for vulnerable people in custody. The role, work and provision of appropriate adults is examined from perspectives of detainees, police and those working within and managing appropriate adult schemes.