The Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) is a system in England and Wales that aims to protect vulnerable adults from abuse. It is outlined in the 2000 Care Standards Act and administered by the Department of Health. POVA puts bans on individuals who have harmed vulnerable people from working in care. Vulnerable adults include those over 18 who require support due to disabilities, illnesses, substance abuse issues, or other circumstances. POVA defines several types of abuse - physical, sexual, psychological, financial, neglect - and provides guidelines for recognizing, reporting, and responding to abuse to help protect vulnerable groups.

1. Protection Of
Vulnerable Adults
(POVA)

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Vulnerable adults. Who are
they?
People that are protected by the act are
adults that are 18 years or over for example
vMay 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

5. Vulnerable adults. Who are
they?
vHas a physic disability which includes frail
or chronic illness
vMental illness e.g. dementia
vLearning disability
vMisuses drugs or alcohol
vSocial or emotional problems
vBehaviour issues

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

7. Abuse to vulnerable adults
vCan be sexual or physical
vThere could be a situation where it is witnessed(bullying or
humiliating)
vNot allowing to see their family or keep in contact
vWithholding food, medication or money without permission
•

8. Who may abuse them and
where?
vFamily member
vPartner
vService provider
vNeighbour
vFriend
vStranger
vVolunteer
vThis can take place e.g. at home, in public, care
home or hospital

9. Types of abuse. Physical
vHitting
vSlapping
vUndue restraint
vMisuse of medication
vInappropriate sanctions

10. Types of abuse. Sexual
vRape and sexual assault
vInappropriate touching
vSexual acts which a vulnerable adult
could has not or not consent to or
pressured into it
•

11. Types of abuse.
Psychological/ Emotional
abuse
vThreats
vHarm
vAbandonment
vHumiliation
vVerbal abuse
vIsolation
vWithdraw from services or support

12. Types of abuse. Financial
abuse
vTheft
vFraud
vMisuse of benefits
vPressure around wills and property

13. Types of abuse. Neglect
vFailing to provide appropriate food
vMedication
vShelter
vWarmth
vHygiene
vClothing
vPersonal care
vProtection from harm
vMedical care
vAccess to services

14. Types of abuse.
Discriminatory abuse
vExclusion from services available to all
citizens
vFailure to respect culture preferences
vDenial of rights of rights to religious
preferences.

15. Types of abuse. Institutional
abuse
vTo promote respect
vDignity choice
vHaving no privacy
vInappropriate or poor care
vPoor professional practise
vDenial of right to medical or social care
vLack of response to complaints

16. 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 health
vExcessive fears, withdrawn, agitated
vSudden inability to pay bills, buy food or personal
items
vChanges in appetite or unusual weight gain or loss
vPoor personal hygiene
•
•
•

17. Effects that could happen?
There are long term effects of abuse and they
are:
vAggressive/ violent behaviour
vNonviolent criminal behaviour
vSelf- injuries or suicidal behaviour
vEmotional problems
vInterpersonal problems e.g. shy, self- conscious

18. What will happen if abuse
occurs under POVA?
vAwareness
make sure that all staff and volunteers are
aware of the issues of POVA
vPrevention
Through awareness of good practise
vReporting
All staff are clear about steps to take
vResponding
Ensure action is taken to support and protect

19. 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.

20. Strength's
vKeeps staff to a high level
vMore 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 rights
vShows that discriminatory practises is wrong
and against the law
vMake sure they get the correct treatment they
deserve

21. Weakness
vCan’t change peoples attitudes
vEven if you were made aware of it you
maybe afraid to speak up
v Not every care home is checked on
POVA which mean they are vulnerable
v

22. 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=ygi5UAiAQ0w
vhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsoofNS_aUk
vhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDbsffGL-KU