Question
In the wake of save the children being defunded, who has been providing AA and GaL service in the last 12 months?
What supports were put in place to safeguard interviews with young people?
What protections exist to safeguard children and young people if an arrest is being made at home or their home is being raided?
Is there a policy on how to conduct a risk assessment in these situations or any processes for appropriate follow up?
Answer
In the wake of save the children being defunded, who has been providing AA and GaL service in the last 12 months?
What supports were put in place to safeguard interviews with young people?
The Northern Ireland Appropriate Adult Scheme (NIAAS) provides Appropriate Adults for those under arrest, when a family member or more appropriate person cannot attend.
As for the term ‘GaL,’ this is ‘Guardian ad Litem’ and sits within the Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCNI). It is Court appointed, with the aim of safeguarding the interests of juveniles involved in Court Proceedings (Public Law / Adoption proceedings).
Police have no requirement for or involvement in this role.
What protections exist to safeguard children and young people if an arrest is being made at home or their home is being raided?
Is there a policy on how to conduct a risk assessment in these situations or any processes for appropriate follow up?
Service Instruction SI1617 Police Search states that any search of a premises where Police believe a child or young person is present will be subject to a Community Impact Assessment (CIA) as outlined in Service Instruction SI0521 Critical Incident Management and Community Impact Assessments. SI0521 allows for a risk management plan to be put in place that can influence the tactics used and the principles Officers should consider including balancing the need for operational activity, relevant human rights legislation (such as the UN Convention on the rights of the child) and the PACE Codes of Practice covering search activity. Officers are asked to consider if Social Services should be on standby. Officers attend homes for a variety of reasons and in response to emergencies, so completing this CIA is not always practicable. Officers are expected to conduct their own dynamic risk assessment and make use of their own professional judgement. Officers have also received training in Adverse Childhood Experiences.
In practice, Officers will attempt to gain the cooperation of the responsible adult to ensure the wellbeing of any children or young person present and minimise any distress. Officers would ensure children are left in the care of a responsible adult nominated by the person being arrested or contact Social Services. If Officers have clear concerns for the safety of a child or young person, they are expected to contact the Central Referral Unit within the PSNI or Social Services directly.
The Service Accountability Panel (SAP) also provides community-focussed scrutiny regarding the use of policing powers and actively makes the wider Police Service accountable for the use of policing powers at a local level and its membership includes Independent Advisory Group members.
Dr Kate Laverty