Vulnerable adults to be better protected from abusers

People living in care homes and those who receive personal care in their own homes are set to have greater protection from known abusers following the adoption of a new scheme that bans them from working with vulnerable adults again.

At the heart of the scheme is the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) list which, from next June, will operate as a workforce ban on people who have harmed, or placed at risk of harm, a vulnerable adult in their care.

Providers of care must not offer employment to individuals on the POVA list and people who know they are confirmed on the list but seek employment in care positions will face criminal charges including possible imprisonment.

Launching a consultation on draft guidance to help providers of care and other stakeholders implement the POVA list, Health Minister Stephen Ladyman said: "There will be no hiding place in the care system for people who abuse or mistreat vulnerable adults. We want to ensure that vulnerable adults and their families can be confident they are receiving the best and safest levels of care possible. Implementation of the POVA list will send a clear message to providers of care and care professionals that the Government deplores those who abuse vulnerable adults in their care."

Welcoming the announcement, Gary Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Action on Elder Abuse, said this was a "major initiative" that would send a "powerful message" to those who abuse their positions of trust.

Checks against the POVA list will be requested as part of Disclosures from the Criminal Records Bureau. The POVA checks will add significantly to current pre-employment checks already carried out by providers including requesting Disclosures and obtaining employment references.

The consultation on the draft guidance extends until 4 March 2004. Parallel consultation on how best to extend the POVA scheme to the NHS and independent health care sectors will begin in the New Year.

(gmcg)