What Is an Appropriate Adult?
An appropriate adult is someone who helps a child or young person during a police interview. They make sure the young person is treated fairly and understands what is happening.
Who needs one?
If a child or young person is under 17 and is being interviewed by the police, they must have an appropriate adult with them. This is the law.
Who can be an appropriate adult?
Usually, it’s a parent or carer.
If they can’t be there, someone from the Youth Offending Service or the Emergency Duty Team can help.
What does the appropriate adult do?
They:
- Help the young person understand what’s going on
- Make sure the interview is fair
- Help the young person talk to the police
- Look after the young person’s welfare
They don’t give legal advice — that's the role of a solicitor or legal representative
When are they needed?
- During police interviews
- If the young person is being held at the police station
- If the interview happens in the evening or weekend, the Emergency Duty Team can help
Safeguarding
Under the Children Act 2004 the police, local authority youth offending teams and appropriate adults have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and this applies equally to when they are in police detention
Further information
Please see the National Appropriate Adult Network pages.