Appropriate Adult Service.

This tender closed on 20 October 2026.

Buyer
Durham County Council
Value
£435,287
Closed
20 October 2026
Where
Durham, the North East
Type
Open tender

In plain English

Durham County Council is hiring an Appropriate Adult Service to support vulnerable adults and children during police custody and interviews. An Appropriate Adult is a trained person who protects the rights and welfare of people who may not understand police procedures or communicate effectively. The service operates 24/7 for adults and out-of-hours for children from a custody suite in Spennymoor, with occasional visits to other locations.

What the buyer wants

• Provide trained Appropriate Adults to attend police custody suites and interview locations to support vulnerable adults (24/7) and children (out-of-hours and bank holidays) • Ensure staff understand safeguarding, police procedures, and how to communicate with vulnerable people • Respond to call-outs on demand and travel to Spennymoor custody suite and other locations as required

Requirements

Named in the buyer's notice:

What could rule a small business out: This contract requires specialist knowledge of the criminal justice system and significant experience working with vulnerable people in high-stakes situations, which rules out most general trades and small businesses without a background in social care, safeguarding or law enforcement.

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