Norfolk County Council wishes to procure an appropriate adult service to be provided to children and young people under 18 years (where the parent / guardian is unable or unwilling to attend) and for vulnerable adults who have been arrested for an offence in Norfolk.

Norfolk County Council on behalf of itself and Norwich Clinical Commissioning Group, North Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group, South Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group, Great Yarmouth and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group, West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group and Norfolk Constabulary wishes to procure an appropriate adult service to be provided to children and young people under 18 years (where the parent / guardian is unable or unwilling to attend) and for vulnerable adults who have been arrested for an offence in Norfolk.

The Appropriate Adult service will operate in line with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and its accompanying Codes of Practice as well as the YJB National Standards for young people, and in accordance with local and national guidance. The service must be delivered in a way which promotes social inclusion and safeguards the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults. This will include delivery of services in line with both Norfolk’s Adult and Children’s Safeguarding Boards policies and procedures.

The Appropriate Adult service will need to be affiliated to the National Appropriate Adult Network (NAAN) and compliant with the NAAN National Standards.

The Appropriate Adult role was created under the PACE Act 1984 and is required for the mentally vulnerable and juveniles. In the case of juveniles (under the age of 18 years), the Appropriate Adult will normally be the parent/guardian or other adult relative, however, when they are unwilling or unable to attend, an Appropriate Adult must be provided. In the case of an adult, an Appropriate Adult must be provided when it is determined by the Police Custody Sergeant that the detainee is identified as a vulnerable person.