Appropriate adult

A parent, guardian, social worker or trained volunteer who must support a child or vulnerable adult held or interviewed by police.

An appropriate adult is someone who must be called to support a suspect aged under 18, or an adult whom police think may be vulnerable, for example because of a mental health condition, learning disability or difficulty understanding what is happening. Under PACE Code C, for a child it can be a parent or guardian, a social worker, or failing these another responsible adult aged 18 or over who is not a police officer or employed by the police. Many areas use trained volunteers or local authority schemes. Their role is to help the person understand their rights, make sure police act fairly and help communication. They should be present when the person is told their rights, interviewed and charged, and for certain searches. An appropriate adult is not a lawyer, and conversations with them are not legally privileged, so they do not replace a solicitor.

Checked as at 25 September 2026. General information only, not legal advice.