How did appropriate adults begin?
In 1972, after confessing to murdering Maxwell Conafiath, three boys were imprisoned which later was proven to be untrue after medical evidence proved the actions of their confessions to be impossible. They had fallen under suspicion after the police picked them up on suspicion of lighting several fires.
The boys were held without a lawyer being present or their parents or guardians informed. Finally, after hours of oppressive interrogation at 2 am in the morning, the boys, the youngest boy, 14 and the oldest, 18, who had learning disabilities and the mental age of 8, sealed their fate and signed a confession.
There was a public outcry of their treatment resulting in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and its Codes of Practice being passed.
How does appropriate adults work?
In England and Wales, PACE set out the rules and safeguards this includes the appropriate adult (AA) role. The role of AA safeguard was to prevent miscarriages of justice as a result of evidence obtained from vulnerable suspects, which led to unsafe and unfair convictions because of their vulnerability.
Where a child / vulnerable person is a suspect , PACE requires the presence of an AA for many actions. The mains outcomes for children and vulnerable people are that they are:
- Treated fairly with respect
- Able to engage effectively in investigation and/or detention procedures
Research has shown that the support of an appropriate adults has benefits for the vulnerable persons mental health, emotional well-being, dignity and safety.
How can YPO help?
YPO’s The Appropriate Adults (AA) DPS has been developed with the National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) to enable those who commission Appropriate Adults Services within the Police and Crime Commissioners, Youth Offending Teams, Adult Social Care and the local authorities to access a compliant route to market, from a wide range of service providers.
The Service is for children or vulnerable adults (as defined by PACE Code C) who are detained in police custody or voluntary interview as a suspect when a referral is made by the police.
Customers are expected to undertake their further competitions, and NAAN has provided a specification template which is available to support those commissioning this Service to consider all aspects. More information about the AA Service can be found at Appropriate Adult DPS- 1015.
If you require more information, email us at [email protected], and we look forward to hearing from you.
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