Appropriate Adult

Would you like to volunteer as an Appropriate Adult to support vulnerable young people in your community?

Full training will be given.

Bracknell Forest Council are looking for volunteers to work alongside their Emergency Duty Services team.

More information regarding the Emergency Duty Service team can be found at: Emergency Duty Service | Bracknell Forest Council (bracknell-forest.gov.uk)

What is an Appropriate Adult?

An Appropriate Adult is a trained volunteer who attends the police station when a young person’s parents or guardians cannot attend or where friends/relatives/carers of a vulnerable adult cannot attend.  They are there primarily to ensure the young person understands their rights, police procedures and to safeguard their welfare whilst in custody.

About the role

As a volunteer you will be working in the police station with both police officers, young people and vulnerable adults and so must be able to effectively communicate with these.  Co-operation in interview is vital in safeguarding the young person’s welfare but also patience as some delays may occur.  Volunteers need to be reliable and maintain confidentiality as well as confident to intervene in the interview to ensure the young person is being treated fairly and understands their rights.

The role of the Appropriate Adult is to be present when the young person/vulnerable adult is interviewed, both with and without a solicitor present, read their rights, photographed, fingerprinted, and charged.  This will require you to sign police paperwork but also to liaise with the young person/vulnerable adult.  Your role includes ensuring the welfare of the young person whilst they are in custody and taking an active role in ensuring they understand the process that they are going through and the rights they have both in custody and when being interviewed.

We cover Maidenhead and Loddon Valley custody suites.  EDS are operational from 5.00pm until 9.00am Monday to Friday and all-day Saturday/Sunday but provide Appropriate Adults until 11pm . You can specify your availability which will be added onto our rota.

Role requirements

• Enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check
• Due to the nature of the role volunteers must be over the age of 18
• References will be required
• Confidentiality
• Listening skills
• Understanding of safeguarding young people
• Own car essential