Appropriate Adult Service receive recognition from MP
Since 2018, we have been commissioned to run the Appropriate Adult Service in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire, taking over the Peterborough Scheme from the Youth Offending Service. We also provide an Appropriate Adult service to Kings Lynn Police Investigation Centre.
The Appropriate Adult role was created in law in 1984, and is required for the mentally vulnerable and under 18s. An Appropriate Adult is required to be present at a number of points, for example: when the person is told their rights and entitlements, when they are interviewed and when they are charged. The Appropriate Adult will normally be the parent or guardian; when they are unwilling, inappropriate or unable to attend, we provide an Appropriate Adult.
Our Appropriate Adults are well trained and very committed local volunteers but it has still been a challenging year for them. However, following their hard work, their efforts have been acknowledged by the Minister of State for Crime and Policing, Kit Malthouse MP.
Lee Adamson, Appropriate Adult Service Manager, said “I simply cannot express how proud YMCA Trinity staff feel to be associated with what they have all achieved. It is utterly humbling. And now, the Minister of State for Crime and Policing, Kit Malthouse MP, has written to express the Government’s thanks to Appropriate Adults for their incredible frontline response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The positive news on vaccines shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
However, as there are still rising Covid-19 cases across the network, it means this Winter remains a massive challenge. So, it is more important than ever that the commitment shown by our Appropriate Adult volunteers is recognised.
Well done everyone!
- Read letter from Kit Malthouse (91KB, PDF)