How to use these questions

Sit the fifteen without notes, then mark against the paragraph references. If you need the explainers first, read /guides/appropriate-adults-guide, /blog/appropriate-adult-at-custody and /guides/youth-custody-police-station.

Recap: who is a juvenile, and who is vulnerable

Juvenile: anyone who appears to be under 18 is treated as a juvenile in the absence of clear evidence that they are older (Code C 1.5).
Vulnerable: if an officer has any reason to suspect that a person of any age may be vulnerable, that person is treated as vulnerable unless there is clear evidence to dispel the suspicion (Code C 1.4). 'Vulnerable' is defined in Code C 1.13(d).
Who can be the appropriate adult (Code C 1.7): for a juvenile, a parent or guardian (or the care authority's representative if in care), then a social worker, then failing these another responsible adult aged 18 or over who is not a police officer or employed by the police. For a vulnerable adult, a relative, guardian or carer, someone experienced in dealing with vulnerable persons, then failing these another responsible adult.

Questions: who can act as an appropriate adult

Q1. A 16-year-old's father was present at the incident and has given a witness statement. Should he act as AA? (A) Yes, a parent always takes priority (B) No: a person should not be the AA if they are a witness or involved in the investigation (Code C Note 1B) (C) Only with the solicitor's consent (D) Only if the juvenile agrees
Q2. A detained juvenile objects to his estranged mother acting as AA. What does Code C say? (A) She must still act (B) She should not be the AA if the juvenile expressly and specifically objects (Note 1B) (C) The custody officer cannot consider the objection (D) The solicitor must act as AA
Q3. A youth offending team worker heard the juvenile admit the offence before being asked to be AA. Can they act? (A) Yes (B) No: a social worker or YOT member who received an admission should not act as AA (Note 1C) (C) Only for the interview, not the charge (D) Yes, if a parent is unavailable
Q4. Can a police civilian employee act as an appropriate adult? (A) Yes, if trained (B) No: the 'responsible adult' fallback excludes police officers and people employed by the police (Code C 1.7) (C) Yes, for adults only (D) Only on a superintendent's authority
Q5. Can the solicitor act as AA? (A) Yes (B) Not in Code C's scheme; the roles are distinct and the AA is not covered by legal privilege (Note 1E and 1.7) (C) Only if no one else is available (D) Only for vulnerable adults
Q6. A 30-year-old detainee tells the custody officer she has a learning disability but there is no paperwork. What should happen? (A) Nothing without medical proof (B) She should be treated as vulnerable unless there is clear evidence to dispel the suspicion (Code C 1.4) (C) She can choose whether to have an AA (D) An AA is only for juveniles

Questions: the AA's role in interview and private legal advice

Q7. Is a consultation between the solicitor and the juvenile private from the AA? (A) No, the AA must be present (B) The detainee should always be given the opportunity to consult privately with a solicitor in the AA's absence if they want to (Note 1E) (C) Only for adults (D) Only if the AA agrees
Q8. Why does it matter that the AA is not covered by legal privilege? (A) It does not (B) What the client says in front of the AA could be disclosed, so advise the client about this before discussing the facts with the AA present (Note 1E) (C) It makes the interview inadmissible (D) It means the AA must leave the interview
Q9. The AA wants to ask for a solicitor but the juvenile says he does not want one. Which is correct? (A) The AA's request overrides the juvenile (B) The AA can ask for a solicitor, but the detainee cannot be forced to see the solicitor if they are adamant they do not want to (Code C 3.19 and 6.5A) (C) The AA cannot ask (D) The police must wait until the juvenile agrees to advice
Q10. Should the police delay giving a juvenile access to legal advice until the AA arrives? (A) Yes (B) No: if the juvenile wants legal advice, it should not be delayed until the AA arrives (Code C 6.5A) (C) Only overnight (D) Only if the solicitor is late
Q11. What is the AA's role during interview? (A) A silent observer (B) Not simply an observer: to advise the person being interviewed, observe whether the interview is conducted properly and fairly, and help communication (Code C 11.17) (C) To answer questions for the suspect (D) To object to every question
Q12. The AA keeps answering questions for the juvenile and stops the officer putting questions. What can happen? (A) Nothing (B) After consulting an officer of at least superintendent rank, or inspector if not readily available, the interviewer may stop the interview and the AA may be removed and replaced (Code C 11.17A) (C) The juvenile is charged (D) The solicitor must leave

Questions: urgent interviews (11.1 and 11.18)

Q13. As a general rule, can a juvenile be interviewed or asked to sign a written statement without an AA present? (A) Yes, if they agree (B) No, unless Code C 11.1 or 11.18 to 11.20 apply (Code C 11.15) (C) Yes, at school (D) Yes, for summary offences
Q14. Who can authorise an urgent interview of a detained juvenile without an AA at a police station? (A) The custody officer (B) An officer of superintendent rank or above who considers delay will lead to one of the 11.1(a) to (c) consequences and is satisfied the interview would not significantly harm the person's physical or mental state (Code C 11.18) (C) An inspector (D) The officer in the case
Q15. Once an urgent interview has averted the risk, what then? (A) Questioning continues (B) Questioning must stop once enough information has been obtained to avert the consequences, and the grounds must be recorded (Code C 11.19 and 11.20) (C) The juvenile must be charged (D) The AA must sign the record

Worked answers

Q1 (B). Note 1B: not suspected of involvement, not the victim, not a witness, not involved in the investigation, and has not received admissions before acting as AA.
Q2 (B). Note 1B: an estranged parent should not act if the juvenile expressly and specifically objects.
Q3 (B). Note 1C.
Q4 (B). Code C 1.7.
Q5 (B). Different roles; the AA is not subject to legal privilege (Note 1E).
Q6 (B). Code C 1.4.
Q7 (B). Note 1E.
Q8 (B). Note 1E. Plan the consultation so that private instructions are taken without the AA, and explain this to the AA without offence.
Q9 (B). Code C 3.19 and 6.5A.
Q10 (B). Code C 6.5A.
Q11 (B). Code C 11.17.
Q12 (B). Code C 11.17A.
Q13 (B). Code C 11.15. Interviews at a place of education are allowed only in exceptional circumstances and with the principal's agreement (Code C 11.16).
Q14 (B). Code C 11.18. The 11.1 consequences are: interference with or harm to evidence or people, or serious loss of or damage to property; alerting other suspects; hindering the recovery of property.
Q15 (B). Code C 11.19 and 11.20.

Linked guides

Home Office guidance for appropriate adults (gov.uk) is useful background for explaining the role to a parent. Then move on to /blog/youth-custody-rep-essentials and /blog/free-psras-practice-questions. When a set like this feels easy, try the wider PSR Train question bank. Create a free account at https://psrtrain.com/signup and work through timed practice by topic.

Sources: PACE Code C 2023, paragraphs 1.4 to 1.7, 1.13, 3.17 to 3.19, 6.5A, 11.1, 11.15 to 11.20 and Notes 1B, 1C, 1E (gov.uk); Home Office, Guidance for appropriate adults (gov.uk).

Disclaimer. PSR Train is independent exam-prep for PSRAS candidates in England and Wales. It is not the SRA, the LAA or an assessment organisation (Cardiff or Datalaw). These are original training items, not past papers. Check every point against the current PACE Codes, the legislation and your assessment organisation's materials. This is general training information, not legal advice, and it does not replace your firm's supervision.