Supporting 'vulnerable adults' in police custody

In this episode, Sarah and Lesley speak with Dr Donna Peacock about her paper, co-authored with Dr Faye Cosgrove, titled ‘Supporting “vulnerable” detainees through a student volunteering service’ (click here to read the paper). Donna is the team lead for Social Studies at the University of Sunderland which includes BSc Health and Social Care, BSc Policing Studies, BSc Professional Policing, BSc Sociology, BSc Criminology, BA Applied Investigation, Msc Inequality and Society, MSc Leadership in Criminal Justice and Policing, and MA investigative Management. Donna’s paper (and this podcast episode) focuses on the Northumbria Local Appropriate Adult Scheme which was created as a partnership between the University of Sunderland, Northumbria Police, and the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office. Police codes of practice require the police to provide an Appropriate Adult to support anyone identified as a ‘vulnerable adult’ and in this podcast episode we explore this provision with Donna. We had a fascinating conversation with Donna about the scheme, the construction of vulnerability, power dynamics, and what it means to be an ‘Appropriate Adult’. Lots to take away from this conversation for social workers!  Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Click here to view Donna’s other publications. Click here to follow Donna on Twitter. In this conversation, Donna also spoke about Dr Laura Farrugia’s work. Laura is a Senior Lecturer and the Programme Leader for BSc Forensic Psychology. Click here to view Laura’s staff profile which contains links to her publications.The music is called “Together We’re Stronger” by All Music Seven (All7 Studios) (you can listen to their music here). Production and editing by PaperGhosts.  The Portal Podcast is funded by the University of Sunderland.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.