Youth Justice Act 1992

A police officer who administers, or requests the administration of, a caution to a child must take steps to ensure that the child and the person present under section 16(2) understand the purpose, nature and effect of the caution, including the effect on the child’s criminal history.

The steps that can be taken include, for example—

personally explaining these matters to the child; and

having some person with training or experience in the cautioning of children give the explanation; and

having an interpreter or other person able to communicate effectively with the child give the explanation; and

supplying an explanatory note in English or another language.