PoVA and Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act
PoVA
The Department of Health have issued guidance to help with the new POVA list which came into force on 26th July 2004. To view this or for a brief guide at what it is, follow the links below:
The final report on the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list has been published. To view this report click here.
Making Safeguarding Everybody's Business - A post Bichard Vetting Scheme
The ministerial foreword to this document reads: "The tragic deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham in 2003 highlighted the fact that not enough was being done to prevent unsuitable people from gaining access through their work to children and vulnerable adults". One of the key recommendations was that the Government should set up a registration scheme for everyone who works with children and vulnerable adults - a proposal to be applauded. Consultation of this document is now closed, however you can view it by clicking here.
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 is the Act that has come about as a result of the Bichard Inquiry talked about above. It provides the legal framework for the new Vetting and Barring Scheme and will have a big impact on those who care for vulnerable people when its phased implementation begins throughout 2008. There are five factsheets covering information on this, as follows:-
Factsheet 1 sets out the background to the Act and some of its main provisions.
Vetting and Barring Factsheet 1
Factsheet 2 covers the 'Independent Barring Board'
Vetting and Barring Factsheet 2
Factsheet 3 explains the terms regulated and controlled activities as used in the Act and to be implemented when the new Vetting and Barring scheme is phased in from autumn 2008.
Vetting and Barring Factsheet 3
Factsheet 4 covers information on the 'Barred list'.
Vetting and Barring Factsheet 4
Factsheet 5 covers information about "Employers' duties to refer information".
Vetting and Barring Factsheet 5
Independent Safeguarding Authority
The Independent Safeguarding Authority will oversee the introduction and subsequent management of the vetting and barring list detailed above. for more information read their newsletter:
Independent Safeguarding Authority Newsletter June 2008 (.pdf)
Independent Safeguarding Authority Newsletter April 2008 (.pdf)