It is asking people who live or work in the borough to become an ‘Appropriate Adult’ when young people with mental health isues or learning difficulties who are being interviewed at Wandsworth Police Station are not able to have a family member or family friend with them.   

Being an Appropriate Adult is a vital and rewarding role and the team may be able to provide support towards gaining a qualification.

Wandsworth’s Youth Offending Team works with young people who have been, or are, at risk of getting in trouble with the police, who are on bail or remand or who have received a court order.

Cabinet member for children’s services Cllr Sarah McDermott says, “We are determined not to write off any of our young people and have an extensive network of people carrying out vital outreach work preventing children from getting into trouble, and helping them turn their life around if they do.

“It’s essential that we have independent volunteers to act as a voice for a young person when they find themselves alone, being questioned by police, and with no-one to turn to.”

To find out more about becoming an Appropriate Adult, call Donna Buffong or Tracy Hodges on 020 8871 6222 or email yteam@wandsworth.gov.uk