The National Appropriate Adult Network

NAAN is the national membership body supporting and representing organisations delivering appropriate adult services in England and Wales.

NAAN (a registered charity) was founded in 2004, though the network had existed informally for a number of years before that.

Young people under the age of 17 and adults who are considered to be mentally vulnerable must have an Appropriate Adult with them when they are detained in custody and interviewed by the police. An appropriate adult can be a family member, volunteer or social/health care professional. Increasingly organised groups of trained volunteers carry out this crucial role.

The National Appropriate Adult Network brings together those involved in managing schemes of volunteers or paid workers. NAAN gives advice, guidance and support to all those involved in this important work, provides information on training and standards, and works with Government and others on policy and practice issues.

NAAN does not supply appropriate adults directly. For information about what services are delivered by our members in different parts of the country, please see the NAAN Map.

For further information about working or volunteering as an appropriate adult please download the Information Sheets available on the Becoming an AA of our website.