POVA - Protection of Vulnerable Adults

POVA – Protection of Vulnerable Adults

Important changes from 12th October 2009:

Please refer to: Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) – Important Changes – October 2009

POVA List Issues

Concerns, complaints and allegations regarding the POVA list
should be addressed to:

The Independent Safeguarding Authority:
Tel: 0300 123 111
Or, Email: pova.mail@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk

Pova Overview

The Department of Health launched the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) scheme in 2004. At the heart of the POVA scheme is the POVA list of care workers who have harmed vulnerable adults in their care.

From 26 July 2004, registered care providers must request a check against the POVA list when considering a person for a care position. This check can only be made through the Standard or Enhanced Disclosure application process.

Employment agencies must apply for POVA checks with regard to care workers they supply to registered providers of care homes and domiciliary care agencies. The care providers themselves have a duty to ensure that such checks have been carried out.

POVAFirst - Fast Track Checking of POVA List

The disclosure process takes 4 weeks for an enhanced disclosure. The CRB recognise that there can be exceptional circumstances for residential care homes where a fast track process may be needed, otherwise staffing levels may not meet statutory requirements.

In these circumstances, APCS can check the POVA list through the CRB whilst the disclosure process continues.

You apply for a disclosure in the normal manner, and request a POVA check. The results of the check will be passed to the employer through APCS within 3 days of the completed disclosure application reaching the CRB.

How to Apply for Fast Track POVA Checking

Where you cannot wait for a disclosure to be processed before starting an applicant in a care job, you can ask for Fast Track POVA Checking.

Apply for a Standard or Enhanced Disclosure in the normal way. We cannot obtain a POVA check until after the disclosure has been submitted to the CRB.

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Enclose a note with the application saying you want fast track POVA checking. You can request Fast Track POVA Checking by phone at any time after you have sent the disclosure application to us.

What Does a POVA Check look like ?

The Disclosure document you receive back now has a box on it where any information held on the POVA list will be entered.

The results of a Fast Track POVA check will be sent to you from APCS within 3 days of the completed Disclosure application reaching the CRB. It will say either of the following :

Option 1. Please wait for the full Disclosure document before making a recruitment decision regarding this applicant.

Option 2. No match exists for this person on the current POVA list.

The CRB reveal no more information than this in a POVA First check.

An option 1 response means the check has been inconclusive, and does not necessarily mean that adverse information is held about the individual on the POVA list. Only if you receive an option 2 response can you start the applicant in a care job, prior to receiving the Disclosure document.