What Appropriate Adults do
Appropriate Adults support people during police investigations. They help people understand what is happening and to make themselves understood.
They come from a variety of backgrounds. They are recruited and trained to a national standard. They also have practical experience of working with people who have communication difficulties.
Who they support
Appropriate Adults support people aged 16 and over who have communication support needs. These needs can be due to
- mental health challenges
- learning disability
- personality disorder
- brain injury
- cognitive impairment
- neurodivergent conditions, such as autism and ADHD
They support victims, witnesses, and people who have been accused whether officially or not.
What they cannot do
Appropriate Adults
- must not know the person they are supporting (his includes both personal and professional links)
- do not provide support at court
- cannot support both the accused and the victim in the same case.
