Guidance for appropriate adults – updated guidance from the Home Office

10th February 2025

Being an appropriate adult - GOV.UK

On 18 December 2024, the Home Office updated its guidance for appropriate adults. The guidance is aimed at appropriate adults assisting during a child’s detention, attending a voluntary interview under caution or detention for a strip search.

Details 

  • The rights and responsibilities of the appropriate adult are set out in PACE CODE C and are summarised in PACE CODE C, Annex E.
  • An appropriate adult may include a parent, guardian, relative, carer, adult who knows a child, an organisation responsible for caring for the child, or another responsible adult independent of the police[1].
  • The requirement for an appropriate adult begins as soon as a child is placed in detention (and for the duration of detention), attends a voluntary interview, or is detained under stop and search powers for a strip search[2].
  • Some procedures cannot take place without an appropriate adult present (except in limited circumstances), including interviews, searches and giving consent.
  • A child has a right to speak privately with their appropriate adult at any time during police detention or attending a voluntary interview[3].
  • An appropriate adult can ensure legal advice is available in a police station[4].
  • The appropriate adult’s role is to protect the child’s interests. This includes their rights, entitlements, and welfare[5].
  • The appropriate adult’s role includes[6]:
  1. support, advise and assist the child;
  2. help the child to understand their rights (the police should provide leaflets containing these) and make sure those rights are protected and respected;
  3. check fair and proper treatment of the child;
  4. help the child to communicate during interviews and time in detention, whilst respecting their right to say nothing unless they want to.

Commentary

The guidance provides a practical resource to those acting as appropriate adults and is a welcome update from the 2003 initial publication. The guidance includes links to other easily digestible resources, including videos. Wherever possible, appropriate adults should review the guidance, particularly those adopting the role as a professional or independent volunteer.
 

[1]              PACE CODE C, paragraph 1.7, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

[2]              PACE CODE C, paragraph 3.15-3.17, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

[3]              PACE CODE C, paragraph 3.15, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

[4]              PACE CODE C, paragraph 6.5, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

[5]              PACE CODE C, Annex E, paragraph 2A, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

[6]              PACE CODE C, paragraph 1.7A, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984