Surrey Appropriate Adult Volunteer Service (SAAVS)

Surrey County Council is procuring an Appropriate Adult Service in accordance with its statutory duties under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (section 38(4)(a)).

These statutory duties place an obligation on local authorities to ensure the provision of Appropriate Adults for children and vulnerable adults where a parent, guardian or other suitable adult is unavailable or deemed inappropriate.

The purpose of the Appropriate Adult is to safeguard and promote the rights, entitlements and welfare of children and vulnerable adults who are detained and/or interviewed by the police. The Appropriate Adult is required to provide support, advice and assistance, enable the individual to understand and exercise their rights, and facilitate effective communication between the detainee and police officers.

In addition, the Appropriate Adult must observe police procedures to ensure they are carried out fairly, lawfully and in accordance with relevant guidance, thereby reducing the risk of miscarriages of justice and ensuring individuals are treated in a humane and appropriate manner while in police custody.

To achieve these objectives and ambitions, Surrey County Council (SCC) is seeking to appoint a provider to deliver the Surrey Appropriate Adult Volunteer Service (SAAVS).

The Surrey Appropriate Adult Volunteer Service is being procured on a County wide basis, and bidders must ensure delivery of services across the full geographic area of Surrey.