Act as an Appropriate Adult for people with mental health needs and/or learning disabilities and other vulnerabilities who are being detained in custody, ensuring fair treatment in accordance with PACE guidelines / legislation 1984.
What You'll Do:
Main Duties:
- Agree availability with Mind staff to be on the Appropriate Adult rota which is 24/7, 365 days per year
- Respond to requests from the Police or Mind staff to attend as an Appropriate Adult by presenting to the front desk at the police station
- Be able to attend the station within a timely manner
- Be involved in a variety of different processes within custody
- Ensure that the person in custody is treated fairly by police officers, whilst being questioned in custody
- Complete appropriate monitoring forms online
- Contact Mind staff to inform of your availability via Booking facility for the service each week and once agreed, ensure that you can be contacted at this time
- Following the agreed safety procedures, respecting confidentiality and professional boundaries
- Provide onward referral information where appropriate, to relevant Mind services to support detained persons.
General:
- Take part in training and development activities, as required
- Attend meetings as and when required
- Act in a professional manner always and work in a non-discriminatory manner, promoting equality of opportunity to all those accessing the service
- Work in accordance with Teesside Mind’s policies and Procedures
Why You'll Love It:
Excellent opportunity to develop the following employability skills in a challenging environment - communication, relationship building, resilience, confidence, dealing with conflict, time management and more.
What We're Looking For:
Person Specification - Appropriate Adult Volunteer (D= desirable, E= essential)
Qualification
No specific qualification is required. However, volunteers will be expected to attend Teesside Mind’s Core Appropriate Adult training, shadowing within custody and attend a custody tour, before they can commence in the role. Mandatory e-learning is also required.
Work Experience
Experience of working with people who have:
mental health needs (D)
learning disabilities (D)
offending behaviour (D)
other vulnerabilities (D)
Knowledge
Knowledge of:
issues facing offenders/ex-offenders (D)
police custody/ criminal justice system (D)
mental health issues (D)
Skills
(all Essential)
Excellent communication skills
Listening skills
IT Skills
Ability to offer support and empathy
Plan workload and be flexible
Data inputting
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
Attitude
(all Essential)
Commitment to Teesside Mind’s values
Commitment to meeting the needs of those we provide support to
Open and non-judgemental attitude
Enthusiastic approach towards helping the client group
To be self-aware
Able to ask for help when needed
Confident & assertive
Reliable and professional
Other
Be 18+ and live in the local area and within the UK for the last three years. However, as per the statutory guidance, certain individuals are barred from acting in the role with organised services:
A police officer
An employee of the police
A contractor for the police
Anyone under the control of a chief officer.
We are also unable to accept applications from Independent Custody Visitors.
Summary
Volunteering
Mental Health
Middlesbrough
0 Weeks Minimum
6 Hours / Week
Skills you will develop:
Active listening
Communication
Empathy
Interpersonal / Confidence
Written Communication
Requirements:
CV / Resume
DBS check
In-Person Interview
Over 18
Training
These documents must be completed:
Similar Opportunities
Do Good, Feel Good - Easter Eggstravaganza - 2nd April 2026
Volun-tees
Min. 0 Weeks Minimum weeks
Do Good, Feel Good - Easter Eggstravaganza - 2nd April 2026
Volunteering
Do Good, Feel Good - Easter Eggstravaganza Create Easter Chicks and Easter Bunting for a local charity. This is a great opportunity to be creative and meet new people.
Volunteer Online Tutor
Tutor The Nation
Min. 100 Weeks Minimum weeks
Volunteer Online Tutor
Volunteering
Young People, Education
We are looking for volunteers to provide one hour a week of free tutoring in any GCSE or A-Level subject, to help disadvantaged students feel more confident and passionate about learning.
Do Good, Feel Good, Teesside Hospice - Setting up the Superstore
Volun-tees
Min. 0 Weeks Minimum weeks
Do Good, Feel Good, Teesside Hospice - Setting up the Superstore
Volunteering
Community, Health
Do Good, Feel Good - Help to set up the Teesside Hospice Superstore.
