to ask if someone can tell me about POVA?

[OSoNervous]

Going for an interview next week - care sector - know I could do the job,,,,but they want a 15 minute presentation at the interview on POVA.

Know about it in a general sense but haven't a clue how to do a presentation on it. AIBU to ask what are the most important points to cover?

[Sirzy]

Will depend on an extent to the role but think about things like confidentiality, reporting of concerns, safe practice?

[AnythingNotEverything]

I'd add practice reviews too, and maybe something about an open way for people to voice concerns - both staff and vulnerable adults.

What about legislation, training, policy reviews?

[mrssmith79]

Don't mean to throw a spanner in the works but our PCT and LA don't use the term POVA anymore - haven't for a good few years. We use Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults, or usually just Safeguarding (I'm a mh nurse). AFAIK, the 'POVA list' as in those who are a danger to vulnerable adults, still exists (I think) but is a separate thing to the actual safeguarding process...I'm rambling but hope you get the gist.
A Google search for Adult Safeguarding and the name of your LA should give you a lot of good info. Drop in some buzzwords like MARAC and MAPPA and maybe mention some current issues around vulnerable adults - some excellent Mencap reports and campaigns online.
Can't stress enough though that the search term Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults will give you much more relevant results than POVA.
And good luck!

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

I second Mrs Smith. I work in forensic mental health so lots of focus on Safeguarding of Adults.

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

It's likely that they want an awareness of the different types of abuse and how they may be recognised, and what you need to do if you feel someone is vulnerable or indeed a victim of abuse.

[lessonsintightropes]

Yep SOVA. I would cover:

• prevention strategies to ensure issues as far as possible do not arise (could cover visitor policies, managing money, helping the VA understand what healthy relationships are like, etc etc etc)
  
• warning signs of abuse
  
• how you would deal with disclosure or suspicions of abuse including immediately making sure the person was currently safe (and may include involvement of emergency services if warranted, immediately)
  
• reporting structures within your own organisation
  
• reporting structures with the local authority
  
• your role in the investigation
  
• potential outcomes

[TravellingLemon]

Hi op

Yes safeguarding adults has superseded the term pova now, so make sure you use that term.
Pova no longer exists, it used to be a register for people who were not suitable to work with vulnerable adults were logged, but this has been amalgamated by disclosure and barring.

In addition to the above which are all good points to cover.

An outline of the No Secrets definitions (vulnerable ad/ adult at risk of harm, abuse, significant harm).
Just 1 slide on the upcoming health and social care legislation on the bit that covers safeguarding.
Types of abuse and examples
Risk and protective factors (what practice puts someone at risk of harm, what good practice protects people from harm)
How to respond in the organisation and thinking about your local multi agency procedures (these should be on your local authority website)including police, disciplinary, cqc, OPG etc regarding different types of abuse.
Information sharing
Whistleblowing
Case studies and examples.

15 mins will soon pass. They will be looking for your understanding about recognising and responding to abuse essentially so make sure you demonstrate that.

Doing safeguarding training is part of my work role, so feel free to ask me any more specific questions.

[OSoNervous]

Thank you all - so very helpful