Who is an appropriate adult?
- For under-18s: a parent, guardian, or social worker
- For mentally vulnerable adults: a relative, carer, or trained appropriate adult volunteer
- Must be independent of the police and acting in the detainee's interests
- Cannot be a police officer or other person engaged in the investigation
What does the appropriate adult do?
The appropriate adult is not a passive observer. They are required to advise the detainee, observe whether the interview is conducted fairly, and facilitate communication. They can intervene if they believe questions are oppressive, confusing, or unfair. They can also request the interview to stop.
What if no appropriate adult is available?
The police must make reasonable efforts to secure an appropriate adult before an interview proceeds. If no family member is available, local social services or a trained volunteer scheme should be contacted. An interview that proceeds without an appropriate adult when one is required is likely to be inadmissible.
How we work with appropriate adults
- We advise appropriate adults on their role and responsibilities
- We attend alongside the appropriate adult in interview
- We challenge any interview that proceeds without proper compliance
- We seek exclusion of evidence obtained in breach of the appropriate adult requirement
Frequently asked questions
For a young person, the appropriate adult is usually a parent, guardian, or social worker. For a vulnerable adult, it should be a relative, carer, or someone with experience of mental health or learning disabilities — not a police officer or anyone involved in the investigation.
An appropriate adult is there to safeguard the detainee’s welfare, ensure they understand their rights, facilitate communication, and observe that the interview is conducted fairly. They can intervene if they believe the detainee is not understanding or is being treated unfairly — but they are not a legal adviser.
No — where an appropriate adult is required (for under 18s and vulnerable adults), the interview must not proceed until one is present, except in urgent circumstances involving risk to life. We challenge any interview conducted without a required appropriate adult.
Yes. An appropriate adult and a solicitor serve different functions — the appropriate adult cannot give legal advice. A solicitor should always be present in addition to the appropriate adult to advise on the interview strategy and protect the detainee’s legal position.