An Exploration of Mental Health Triage and Support in the Criminal Justice System: Attitudes and Experiences of Professionals Supporting People with Mental Health Needs

A review of existing literature shows that there is a lack of research regarding
appropriate adult schemes for vulnerable adults in England and Wales. Little is
known about how appropriate adults construct and understand their role. Given
this, the present study aimed to explore ‘professional’ appropriate adults’
accounts of working to support adults with mental health needs during their time
in police custody. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine
‘professional’ appropriate adults attending police custody settings to support
adults identified as mentally vulnerable according to the Police and Criminal
Evidence Act (1984).
A grounded theory method was used to collect and analyse the data. The core
concept generated in the analysis was that appropriate adults ‘construct and
manage multiple identities’ when working in their role. There were four
categories identified as being part of this process: ‘what is PACE?’; ‘in
negotiation with the police’; ‘in negotiation with the clients’ and ‘my appropriate
adult scheme’. A complex negotiation and dynamic understanding of each
category influenced participants’ construction of their identities as an
appropriate adult, and how they went about carrying out their work. The findings
are discussed, and recommendations for training, policy review and further
research are outlined.