What is an Appropriate Adult? The Vital Supporter You've Never Heard of...
- tabatha6853
- Sep 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 30
Imagine being 16 years old, confused and scared, sitting in a police station with no idea what's happening to you. Or, picture a vulnerable adult with learning difficulties trying to navigate complex legal procedures alone.
It's a frightening thought, but thankfully, it's a situation that UK law says should never happen. Enter the Appropriate Adult: the unsung hero of our justice system who ensures no vulnerable person faces police custody alone.
A crucial support system
An Appropriate Adult is an independent person whose job is simple but crucial: to protect the rights and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults during police procedures. They're there to make sure everything is fair, understood, and above board.
But this isn't just about being a friendly face. It's about safeguarding some of society's most vulnerable people when they need it most.
Born from injustice
The Appropriate Adult role didn't appear overnight. It was born from tragedy - specifically, the high-profile miscarriages of justice in the 1970s and 80s where vulnerable suspects were interviewed without proper support. Some gave false confessions. Others simply didn't understand what was happening to them.
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) changed all that. It established a simple but powerful principle: no child or vulnerable person should navigate the criminal justice system unsupported.
When do the police call an Appropriate Adult?
The law is clear. Police must call an Appropriate Adult whenever someone in custody is:
Under 18 years old
A vulnerable adult (this includes people with learning disabilities, mental health difficulties, or communication challenges)
And here's the crucial part: certain procedures simply cannot happen without an AA present. No interview, no explanation of rights, no taking of statements - nothing.
What does an Appropriate Adult do?
So what does an Appropriate Adult actually do? They're not lawyers - that's what solicitors are for. Instead, they're there to:
Bridge the communication gap – making sure the person truly understands their rights and what's being asked of them
Spot trouble – watching for signs of distress, confusion, or unfair treatment
Keep things fair – ensuring police follow proper procedures to the letter
Provide support – being a calm, reassuring presence in what can be a terrifying situation
This might look like a 15-year-old being interviewed about an incident. The Appropriate Adult sits beside them, making sure the questions are fair, checking the young peron understands what's being asked, and stepping in if anything doesn't seem right. They're not there to interfere - they're there to protect.
Who can be an Appropriate Adult?
For young people, it might be a parent or family member. But often, it's a specially trained volunteer or professional from services like ours at TAAS.
The key word here is independent. Police officers, solicitors, or anyone connected to the case can't fill this role. The Appropriate Adult must be completely neutral - their only loyalty is to the vulnerable person they're supporting.
Different rules across the UK
While the term "Appropriate Adult" is used throughout the UK, the rules do vary depending on where you are:
England and Wales follow PACE 1984 – AAs are required for all under-18s and vulnerable adults
Scotland uses the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016, focusing mainly on vulnerable adults (children have separate protections)
Northern Ireland follows similar rules to England and Wales under their own version of PACE.
Different frameworks, same goal: ensuring vulnerable people aren't left to face the system alone.
Why Appropriate Adults matter now (more than ever)
In our complex world, the Appropriate Adult role has never been more important. They're the difference between someone understanding their rights or being completely lost. Between fair treatment and potential exploitation. Between dignity and despair.
With an AA present:
Rights aren't just read out – they're properly explained and understood
Vulnerable people have someone in their corner
The risk of unfair treatment drops dramatically
Everyone leaves knowing the process was fair
The quiet heroes of justice
Appropriate Adults don't make newspaper headlines, but they're absolutely fundamental to keeping our justice system fair and humane. Every day, they ensure that being vulnerable doesn't mean being voiceless.
At The Appropriate Adult Service (TAAS), we've been providing this crucial support across the UK since 2001. Our trained professionals step in when it matters most, ensuring no vulnerable person faces police custody alone. Because everyone – no matter their age or circumstances – deserves to be heard, understood, and treated fairly.
Want to learn more about becoming an Appropriate Adult or how TAAS can support your organisation? Get in touch with our team today.
