Being an appropriate adult – video guide and GOV.UK
The Home Office have produced a video guide for appropriate adults to help them understand the role. This is designed to supplement the Home Office’s updated guidance for appropriate adults released on 18 December 2024. You can read our legal update on the updated guidance here.
Details
The video guide is an animation of a person who is tasked with the role of being an appropriate adult, explaining what they wish they had known in the role. It provides detailed examples and practical tips on how the appropriate adult can fulfil their role in different situations.
The video guide explains that an appropriate adult’s job is to protect the vulnerable person’s or child’s interests when they are interviewed by the police, or, if they have been arrested, for as long as they are held at the police station. This is demonstrated as the video guide walks through the four parts of the appropriate adult’s role, being:
- Support, advise and assist the child;
- Help with understanding their rights;
- Checking on fair and proper treatment; and
- Help with communication.
Commentary
The video guide is presented in a personable manner and provides answers to common questions that might come up. It also explains the purpose of being an appropriate adult and how it can help the vulnerable person or child who is being kept in a police station.
It provides a practical, accessible and easily digestible resource to those acting as appropriate adults. It will be of particular use to those who are adopting the role for the first time, and professionals should add it to their resources to share with families to help them support their child going through the youth justice system.
Along with the video guide, more information can also be found at www.appropriateadult.org.uk.