Recent Developments in POVA, Adult Safeguarding and the Protection of Children

Over the past few months there has been significant developments in the UK concerning the safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults notably in relation to the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) scheme and associated initiatives.

1. Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs): In January of 2025, the Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) published a Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR) concerning the death of a woman by the name of Edith. The review examined the circumstances leading to her death and provided recommendations to improve safeguarding practices. Edith SAR (January 2025) – Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board

2. Updated Guidance on Self-Neglect and Exploitation: In March 2025, the Salford Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) released updated guidance on self-neglect and has introduced resources addressing ‘cuckooing’— which is a form of exploitation where criminals may take over a person’s home. These resources aim to assist professionals in identifying and responding to such issues. Self Neglect | Salford Safeguarding Adults Board

3. Legal Framework and Training: Community Care hosted a masterclass in March of 2025 which focused on the legal aspects of adult safeguarding. The session covered different topics like the Mental Capacity Act, self-neglect and the essential jurisdiction of the High Court, providing practitioners with insights into handling complex safeguarding situations or cases. communitycare.co.uk

4. Government Initiatives: In April 2025, the UK government has announced a significant update on the tackling of child sexual abuse and exploitation. While this primarily concerns children, the measures also reinforce the broader commitment to safeguarding different vulnerable groups, including adults. Tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation: update – GOV.UK

What does POVA and POCA stand for?

POVA is the acronym of Protection of Vulnerable Adults

POCA is the acronym for the Protection of Children Act

What is Protection?

Protection is about the intervention and any response to an incident or situation where an individual who is at risk may be involved. This is a more hypersensitive concept that involves responding to specific incidents or concerns of any neglect or abuse where an individual needs protection.

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding is about prevention and empowerment; which relates to the dynamic measures taken to the welfare of adults and children at risk as well as to protect them from any neglect, harm or

abuse. Environments should be produced where all individuals feel respected, safe and able to live without any harm or exploitation.

What are the principles of safeguarding?

These principles are from The Care Act 2014

There are 6 principles which applies to and should be implemented in all healthcare settings:

1. Empowerment – to sustain and foster the individual to make their own decision/s as well as having informed consent

2. Prevention – actions may be taken and/ or stopped before any harm may occur to an individual at risk

3. Proportionality – the least invasive response to a problem or situation presented

4. Protection – support and enactment for those who needs it

5. Partnership – solutions through different departments, sectors and services in the community

6. Accountability – responsibility and clarity while delivering the safeguarding and protection of adults and children

Understanding the POVA List

The POVA list, which now is integrated into the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) barred lists, contains names of individuals deemed unfit to work with vulnerable adults. All employers are legally required to check all potential employees against this list and suggest any individual who have caused harm or pose a risk to vulnerable adults and children.

While there are not specific incidents related to the POVA list prominent in the recent news, these developments underscore the ongoing efforts and resolutions to strengthen safeguarding practices and protect vulnerable adults and children across the UK.

Just a note:

Doing an online POVA – Adults and Children – Level 2 Online Course with Train Healthcare, which takes approximately 1 hour to complete, will earn you 1 CPD Point per course. Once you have completed the course/s, you would receive a certificate thereof.