Central Scotland Police

New service launched by Forth Valley

Tuesday, 8th November 2011

A service which helps vulnerable adults communicate when they come into contact with the police has been relaunched.

Appropriate Adults are independent members of the community who bring with them a wealth of relevant experience of working with Adults at Risk enabling them to assist people when they are interviewed by the police as victims, witnesses, suspects or accused. They are appointed by the Forth Valley Appropriate Adult Service and are independent of the Police.

The Service is managed and funded by a multi-agency partnership group consisting of Central Scotland Police, Clackmannanshire Council, Falkirk Council, Stirling Council and NHS Forth Valley.

The relaunch comes after a successful campaign to recruit new Appropriate Adults within the Forth Valley area.

Five people were appointed to fullful the role of the service which seeks to provide professional support for those who are identified as in need of assistance.

The members of the five-strong team, who are all self-employed as Appropriate Adults, have an extensive background in working in mental ill-health and learning disabilities. Operating on a rotational basis they will provide a 24 hour 7days a week 52 weeks a year service.

The team was recruited during the summer and underwent training and shadowing in October.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Johnston, in charge of public protection for Central Scotland Police, said: "There are a wide variety of reasons why someone who comes into contact with the police might need the support of an Appropriate Adult. The priority is to provide as professional a service as possible whilst supporting those individuals who might need assistance in understanding what is happening in the event they come into contact with the police.

"The Appropriate Adults Service in Forth Valley is crucial in providing that support for people who might have learning problems or mental ill-health issues so that specific circumstances are dealt with properly, and there is a full understanding what is taking place and why.

"Many of the people who will come into contact with the service are also likely to have contact with other public services and that's why it's so important we are as co-ordinated as possible".

Hazel Oliver, the Appropriate Adult Service Co-ordinator for Forth Valley, added: "Providing this service is seen nationwide as best practice. The five new Appropriate Adults play a key role in bridging the communications gaps which might occur when police officers speak to members of the public who might have difficulties understanding what is taking place.

"It's the specific role of the appropriate adult to pick up on 'clues' or indicators that a person has not fully understood what they are being told or what they are being asked. One of the most important aspects of this is the caution given to an individual which may be followed by an interview and possibly a formal charge. Through their experience they may also be able to assist police officers conducting an interview.

"The presence of an appropriate adult is about trying to ensure equality for the person being spoken to. It isn't about advocacy or representing an individual, it's about an independent third party checking that effective communication and understanding is taking place."

You can find out more about the role of an Appropriate Adult in Forth Valley by visiting our Appropriate Adult section.

Central Scotland has had an Appropriate Adults Service in place since 1995.

An adult at risk is someone who may be the subject of physical, financial, neglect, self-harm or self-neglect.