Protection Of Vulnerable Adults

(POVA)

Definition

vProtection of vulnerable adults(POVA) in England and Wales is a system that it is set out in the care standards act 2000. It is developed, promoted and controlled by the Department of Health for the purpose of putting a workforce ban on people who have been proven to have harmed vulnerable people in care.

When the act was put in place and why?

vThis act was put in place in 2000. it was then updated in 2004 and then was updated again in 2006 and was implemented in England and Wales.

vThey put this in place as there was a lot of abuse to adults that were vulnerable. This act makes sure that the risk of abuse is reduced.

Vulnerable adults. Who are they?

People that are protected by the act are adults that are 18 years or over for examplevMay be in need of community care

services because of mental or other disability, age or illness …

vUnable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from any serious harm or exploitation

Vulnerable adults. Who are they?

vHas a physic disability which includes frail or chronic illness

vMental illness e.g. dementiavLearning disabilityvMisuses drugs or alcoholvSocial or emotional problemsvBehaviour issues

Overall

vPersons vulnerability will depend on their circumstances and environment as each case must be judged on its merit.

•

Abuse to vulnerable adults

vCan be sexual or physicalvThere could be a situation where it is witnessed(bullying or

humiliating)vNot allowing to see their family or keep in contactvWithholding food, medication or money without permission

•

Who may abuse them and where?

vFamily membervPartnervService providervNeighbourvFriendvStrangervVolunteervThis can take place e.g. at home, in public, care

home or hospital

Types of abuse. Physical

vHittingvSlappingvUndue restraintvMisuse of medicationvInappropriate sanctions

Types of abuse. Sexual

vRape and sexual assaultvInappropriate touchingvSexual acts which a vulnerable adult

could has not or not consent to or pressured into it

•

Types of abuse. Psychological/ Emotional

abusevThreatsvHarmvAbandonmentvHumiliationvVerbal abusevIsolationvWithdraw from services or support

Types of abuse. Financial abuse

vTheftvFraudvMisuse of benefitsvPressure around wills and property

Types of abuse. Neglect

vFailing to provide appropriate foodvMedicationvSheltervWarmthvHygienevClothingvPersonal carevProtection from harmvMedical carevAccess to services

Types of abuse. Discriminatory abuse

vExclusion from services available to all citizens

vFailure to respect culture preferencesvDenial of rights of rights to religious

preferences.

Types of abuse. Institutional abuse

vTo promote respectvDignity choicevHaving no privacyvInappropriate or poor carevPoor professional practisevDenial of right to medical or social carevLack of response to complaints

What to look for if they are getting abused?

Adult abuse is not always as clear to identify as sometimes the nature of the abuse is invisible or the person is too scared to speak out. There are some ways to notice if they are getting abused they are:vUnexplained injuries, bruises, burns, wounds, cuts,

changes in healthvExcessive fears, withdrawn, agitatedvSudden inability to pay bills, buy food or personal

itemsvChanges in appetite or unusual weight gain or lossvPoor personal hygiene•

•

•

Effects that could happen?

There are long term effects of abuse and they are:vAggressive/ violent behaviourvNonviolent criminal behaviourvSelf- injuries or suicidal behaviourvEmotional problemsvInterpersonal problems e.g. shy, self- conscious

What will happen if abuse occurs under POVA?

vAwarenessmake sure that all staff and volunteers are aware of the issues of POVA

vPreventionThrough awareness of good practisevReportingAll staff are clear about steps to takevRespondingEnsure action is taken to support and protect

Summary of the act?

v CRB disclosures give employers information about an individual’s criminal records history, which informs their assessments about the individual’s suitability to work with children or vulnerable adults.

v There are also three separate lists of persons who are barred from working with children or, as the case may be, vulnerable adults. These lists operate under different legislation and with different criteria and procedures: List 99 (a list of those in respect of whom directions under section 142 of the Education Act 2002 have been made), the Protection of Children Act (POCA) List (maintained under the Protection of Children Act 1999) and the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) List (maintained under Part 7 of the Care Standards Act 2000). Disqualification orders made by a court (under Part 2 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000) also bar individuals from working with children.

Strength's

vKeeps staff to a high levelvMore people will be able to work more quickly

as you can work before a CRB if you have a POVA(under supervision)

vGives them the basic human rightsvShows that discriminatory practises is wrong

and against the lawvMake sure they get the correct treatment they

deserve

Weakness

vCan’t change peoples attitudesvEven if you were made aware of it you

maybe afraid to speak upv Not every care home is checked on

POVA which mean they are vulnerablev

Here is a video about abuse to a vulnerable adult

vFinancial-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlVpR8_6CLk

vPhysical-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zcux_iIuOI

vhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygi5UAiAQ0wvhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsoofNS_aUkvhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDbsffGL-KU