Appropriate Adult Service for Children & Young People & Vulnerable Adults

Description

The role of an Appropriate Adult (AA) is to safeguard the rights, entitlements and welfare of Children Young People and Vulnerable Adults when they are detained or questioned as a suspect in an investigation under the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984. The AA are often the first meaningful support these Children Young People and Vulnerable Adults have when they find themselves in contact with the Criminal Justice System. Occasionally an AA will be asked to attend a pre-arranged voluntary interview either at the custody suite or another police station. The service will also support in providing an AA for a pre-booked Age Assessment interview for an Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Child (UASC). The intention is to recommission the Appropriate Adults Services from September 2023 in order for Gloucestershire County Council to continue to meet the statutory duties we have for young people and adhere to the PACE guidance for Vulnerable Adults. Initial Contract Period is 5 years with an option o extend for 2 years. The aim is to provide trained Appropriate Adults to attend the Custody Suite in Quedgeley, Gloucestershire as promptly as possible, with 100% attendance at all referrals meeting the criteria. To provide an independent effective and efficient Appropriate Adult service in Gloucestershire that will accord with the guidance and standards set out by the National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) which has been approved by the Home Office and Department of Health.