Do you have experience working with children and/or young people?

Do you want to make a difference by offering specialised support to those in need? 

If you answered yes, then we would like to hear from you…

Under the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984, children, young people should not be interviewed by police officers about their suspected involvement in a criminal offence in the absence of an Appropriate Adult (AA). Currently, we are looking for volunteers who can attend custody suites in Ceredigion.

A volunteer Appropriate Adult role is very important to safeguard the welfare of the child aged from 10 up to 18 years.  The Appropriate Adult role is to facilitate communication, ensure the child’s rights are respected and upheld; to ensure the police interview is conducted in line with PACE and that interviewing officers take the child’s age into account.  

Volunteer Appropriate Adults attend police stations in Ceredigion when requested to attend for the following: 

• Administration of rights and entitlements
• Voluntary or Arrest Interview 
• Witness processing E.g. profile photograph, fingerprints and DNA test 
• Witnessing strip and/or intimate searches
• Witnessing drugs tests
• Witnessing disposals  E.g. charge, release under investigation, bail
• Witness a superintendent’s extension of detention beyond 24 hours
• Pre-charge court appearance when police apply for detention to be extended beyond 36 hours.

Requirements

After the successful completion of a volunteer application form, having had their details verified, volunteers will be invited to an interview, either online or face to face (Following a Covid-19 risk assessment and safety procedures). 

Role:

• Ensure the child understands the questions posed to them; clarifying what is being asked, as and when necessary 
• Ensure detailed, accurate recording of appropriate adult call outs including timelines
• Understanding of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, 1984
• Observation and dissemination of the child/young person’s welfare, safeguarding or PACE concerns

Essential Criteria

We need volunteers who are able to commit to being called out at the last minute during the week including evenings and weekends, following on from the preparatory training. 

• Over 18 years of age
• Own smart phone or tablet to use 
• Ability to use an internet browser
• Ability to complete on line forms speedily and accurately
• Ability to pay close attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Understanding of PACE, 1984
• Understand the common law duty of confidentiality
• Understand unconscious bias
• Ability to relate to a wide range of diverse people
• Ability to be proactively and show initiative
• Ability to know when to seek guidance and support
• Ability to work to equality, diversity and inclusion policies

This role requires volunteers to have a full driving licence and access to their own car.

Approach:

• Respect, non-judgement and unconditional positive regard
• Professional, active-listening and empathetic 
• Patient, relaxed and calm
• Ability to focus under pressure
• With attention to detail
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion

Volunteer Recruitment:

Application Form I Email:  Tallulah.Moonlight@ceredigion.gov.uk

If you would like an application form or an informal chat about the role, before volunteering as an AA, then contact Tallulah Moonlight at the email address above.

This volunteer position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check 

Benefits:

No formal qualifications are required as full training is given and ‘out of pocket’ expenses are reimbursed.

• Flexible schedule
• Nationally recognised appropriate adult training 
• Safeguarding, level 2, data protection and information security training 
• Ongoing training including Modern Day Slavery Act, 2015
• Ongoing supervision and support. 
• Professional references for committed volunteers