SCIE Practice guide 7: Making referrals to the POVA list
Overview of POVA list referral process
Who can refer?
- Employers and managers of registered care homes, domiciliary care agencies and adult placement schemes
- Regulators: Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI)/Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales (CSIW)
- Secretary of State for Health
Who can be referred?
Care workers and adult placement carers who are reasonably considered guilty of causing harm to a vulnerable adult and who have been suspended, dismissed or moved to a non-care position or would have been if they had not left their post before these actions could be taken
When to make referrals?
- Usually when the person is dismissed, following a clear and properly documented dismissal and disciplinary process.
- When the person is suspended pending investigation, if the offences are very serious and there is reasonable evidence that harm has been caused.
- Retrospectively, for former employees you are concerned about.
How do I make a referral?
By completing the standard form (469kb rtf file on DH Website) and attaching the required supporting documents. Send this by post to the POVA team at:
The Manager
Protection of Vulnerable Adults List
Ground Floor E, Mowden Hall
Staindrop Road
Darlington
Co Durham DL3 9BG
For advice from the POVA team, you can contact the POVA email helpline (email: POVA.mail@dfes.gsi.gov.uk) or call their advice line: 01325 391 328.
Who do I tell?
You will have already told the local adult protection team and CSCI/CSIW when the alleged misconduct took place, and you must keep them informed of the outcome of the referral. You can ask them or the POVA team for advice at any time.
