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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)
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)
Vulnerable adults in police custody: the role of local authorities in the provision of Appropriate Adults (AA)
- Authors:
- UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL. School for Policy Studies, JESSIMAN Tricia, CAMERON Ailsa
- Publisher:
- NIHR School for Social Care Research
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 6
- Place of publication:
- London
This research, undertaken by the University of Bristol’s School for Policy Studies, explores the role of local authorities in the provision of appropriate adult (AA) services to safeguard the rights and welfare of vulnerable people in custody and highlight good practice. It also sought to examine what commissioners, practitioners and service users would expect from an effective service. It was based on responses to an online survey sent to 151 local authority adult social care departments in England (29 responses) and 54 services within the National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) (23 response). It also examined four different models of provision and qualitative interviews and service user focus groups. Of the 29 local authorities who responded, 14 funded or part-funded AA services, which were mostly commissioned from third-sector partners. Key reasons for funding included: fulfilling part of their wider adult safeguarding responsibilities; concerns about demands on social workers’ and mental health professionals’ time; an increase in demand for AAs; and to foster good working relationships with other agencies. It found that local authority areas where AA services were embedded in, or linked to, adult safeguarding teams were more likely to respond promptly. In relation to AA service effectiveness - managers, commissioners and the police, tended to prioritise AA response time and availability, whilst service users said that an understanding of needs were more important factors. The research highlights two key areas for improvement: the need for commissioners and funders to look at monitoring wider outcomes of service effectiveness the need to improve service user involvement in commissioning and monitoring of services. (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.