Alex Hawkins

Alex Hawkins was born in 1977, she gained her LLB(Hons) in 2000, married Benjamin in 2004 and lives in Northamptonshire.

Throughout her studies Alex worked in an Independent Fostering=ng Agency working with children with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Since graduation Alex has been involved in the Criminal Justice Sector. She established The Appropriate Adult Service (TAAS) in 2001 after realising that there was a lack of suitable and professional support for vulnerable people whilst in police custody. Many areas across the country have no recognised appropriate adult provision, meaning that vulnerable people are not getting the support they are entitled to, or require.

Alex believes that it is imperative that vulnerable people have as much professional support as possible throughout the criminal justice process. As arrest may the first time many come into contact with authorities, and this presents itself as the first opportunity to access help and resources available to them.

It is therefore essential that their experience within custody is as stress free as possible. By providing professional people to undertake the role of the appropriate adult, Alex believes that vulnerable people can be given information about local projects and schemes, as well as other organisations that can help them. A negative experience within custody for the first time can only impact badly on that person’s future.

Alex has worked with people from all backgrounds, from Chief Police Officers to adults and children with severe mental health problems or learning difficulties and children that have been abused and neglected. She has worked with vulnerable victims and witnesses and people accused of serious and violent crimes.

She has supervised contact sessions between birth parents and children that are in care, requiring an understanding of the issues that can effect low socio-economic families.

Alex enjoys riding in her spare time, and is a Judge for the British Show Pony Society, officiating at children’s horse shows across the country. She also enjoys snorkelling and scuba diving and cooking.

| back.