How do appropriate adult schemes fulfil the needs of vulnerable women and ethnic minorities?

Abstract

The Appropriate Adult Scheme (the organisation) is one of many appropriate adult schemes in the United Kingdom that aims to safeguard the rights and entitlements of vulnerable people in custody. Since its formation, the scheme has allowed volunteers to contribute to this effort by aiding in interviews and the custody process following the guidance from PACE code C. The one male and four female interviewees that partook in this qualitative study agreed that the scheme is efficient in its understanding and appropriate application of resources, satisfying the needs of vulnerable suspects. Additionally, religious food and textbooks are provided and female sanitary products if needed, showing that the scheme goes above the standard at eliciting a comforting experience for vulnerable suspects. Though when considering minority individuals, the availability of gender-preferred appropriate adults and of interpreters is not always possible due to a lack of funding and advertisement, leading to an underpopulated rota and the rejection of the suspect’s wishes. Undoubtfully, organisation and its volunteers treat everyone respectfully, though recommendations such as redefining the term ‘vulnerable’ to include minority individuals could improve the experiences of possible hidden vulnerable people in custody and allow for more appropriate adult availability.