SCIE media releases 2006

Clear guidance to help protect vulnerable adults

17 May 2006

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and Department of Health have published new guidance for social care workers on making referrals to the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) list in England and Wales.

The online guide - Making referrals to the Protection of Vulnerable Adults scheme - explains the process of referring regulated care workers and adult placement carers who are considered guilty of causing harm to a vulnerable adult. It covers each stage of the referral - from defining abuse and recognising harm, to providing evidence to support a referral.

The guidance builds on the experiences of those who have already made referrals to the list. It works to clarify the procedure and includes links to further information, examples of good practice and key questions an employer should consider.

Speaking about the guide, SCIE's Principal Adviser David Ellis said:

"Making a referral to the POVA list is a sensitive and challenging procedure. Inaccurate or misguided referrals can add to the confusion and lead to increased distress for all involved. This guide makes the process clear and pre-empts the difficulties some employers may have. Following the guidance will lead to more effective referrals which will, in turn, lead to better protection for vulnerable people."

SCIE developed the practice guide at the request of the Department of Health and in consultation with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), the Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales (CSIW), the General Social Care Council (GSCC) and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

The guide was launched by Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis at today's Community Care Live Conference. Speaking at the conference he said:

"Abuse of vulnerable adults in any form is intolerable. We are determined to stamp it out. This guidance will help care providers uncover abusers and help us ban them from the workplace. It is the latest in a series of measures we have introduced to help keep vulnerable adults safe."

Click here to access the guide.

Media contact

Annie Goss | Communications Officer | T: 020 7089 7117 | M: 07739 458 192 | Email: annie.goss@scie.org.uk