Appropriate Adult Volunteers

If you are looking for a new challenge and want to be part of delivering this new project in West Yorkshire to support vulnerable adults in custody, then this could be the role for you! This is an exciting opportunity to join the partnership between West Yorkshire Police and Restorative Solutions, to take on the key role as an Appropriate Adult in West Yorkshire.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals, ensuring their rights are protected and they receive fair treatment in police custody. Appropriate Adults are expected to be an active participant. In order to be effective, they need to be assertive, speak up and intervene – not simply be a passive observer. PACE Code C 1.7A states that the appropriate adult is expected, amongst other things, to:

• Support, advise and assist them when, in accordance with this Code or any other Code of Practice, they are given or asked to provide information or participate in any procedure;
• Observe whether the police are acting properly and fairly to respect their rights and entitlements, and inform an officer of the rank of inspector or above if they consider that they are not;
• Assist them to communicate with the police whilst respecting their right to say nothing unless they want to as set out in the terms of the caution;
• Help them to understand their rights and ensure that those rights are protected and respected.

Appropriate Adult (AA) volunteers support vulnerable adults in police custody. Volunteers will be required to commit to being available and on call for at least one 6-hour shift each week as an Appropriate Adult. Shifts are from 7am-1pm, 12 noon-6pm, 5pm-11pm 7 days/week for each of 5/6 West Yorkshire Police (WYP) custody suites across West Yorkshire. Volunteers might or might not be called to a WYP custody suite in West Yorkshire to support a Vulnerable Adult during their shift. If volunteers are called, they must attend immediately and then remain in or near the custody suite until the end of their shift. Volunteers will book themselves onto shifts in advance (timescale to be agreed) via the online portal. Travel expenses will be reimbursed and discussed at the induction.

What are we looking for:

• The ability to be professional at all times, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, to be an active listener, non-judgmental, able to work in partnership and be confident to raise concerns.
• You must be over 18 years of age
• Reside in West Yorkshire at least 8 months of the year
• Be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Willing to complete the National Appropriate Adult Network training, between 12-15 hours and attendance at the induction session and WYP site visit, and ongoing training which may be online or in person.
• Own transport or access to public transport.
• Access to a smart phone.
• Willing to commit to at least 1 6-hour shift a week for a minimum period of at least 12 months.

You will then be invited to attend an online information session where you can find out more about the opportunity.