About the Project
The Appropriate Adults Service plays a crucial role in the police investigation process, ensuring that the rights and welfare of all vulnerable individuals are protected across the areas covered by South Wales, Dyfed Powys and Gwent Police. While the support provided by Appropriate Adults is short-term, it serves a crucial purpose by advocating for vulnerable individuals and ensuring their protection and fair treatment during a critical phase of legal proceedings, helping to mitigate potential injustices and fostering trust in the justice system.
Who do we support?
The service provides support to vulnerable adults across South Wales, Dyfed Powys, and Gwent Police Force areas whenever they need an Appropriate Adult in custody. Our service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round.
The need for an Appropriate Adult is usually decided by staff in the custody unit, such as a custody healthcare professional or a custody officer. Our role is to provide clear, person-focused support to help individuals understand and take part in police processes, including interviews.
How do we do it?
The role of an Appropriate Adult is to support, advise, and assist a vulnerable person who has been arrested through police interviews and other formal police procedures in custody. The role is an active one, where Appropriate Adults are expected to advise and support the detainee through the processes, ensure the person is treated fairly by the police, ensure the person’s rights and entitlements are upheld, and facilitate communication between the person and the police to ensure that they understand all of what is happening to them.
Referral
Appropriate Adults can be requested for any organisation who are performing interviews under caution such as the Police Forces, HMP Prisons, and other external organisations via Telephone. Adferiad’s Appropriate Adults only attend cases with vulnerable adults. If you would like to request more information or to discuss the referral process with us, please get in contact using the details above.