The Article will mean that providers of care to vulnerable adults in residential and nursing homes and in the vulnerable adult's own home:
- must carry out a POCVA check on prospective employees against the Disqualification from Working with Vulnerable Adults (DWVA) list; and
- will commit an offence if they knowingly employ in a care position, or fail to remove from a care position, someone who is disqualified from working with vulnerable adults.
Article 46 will also mean that individuals who are included on the DWVA list will commit an offence if they knowingly apply for, offer to do, accept or do any work in a care position with vulnerable adults.
A spokesperson from the DHSSPS said: “Safeguarding the most vulnerable in our society is a top priority for the Department. We owe it to them to put the best systems in place to uphold their protection. The commencement of Article 46 strengthens the existing protections for vulnerable adults under POCVA, which already prevents unsuitable people from working with children in a paid or voluntary position.”
The DWVA List is maintained by the DHSSPS and includes the names of individuals who are considered unsuitable to work with vulnerable adults.
Employers who have not already registered to use the checking service should do so. Details on how to register can be found in the Departmental guidance ‘Choosing to Protect’
.
Notes to Editors:
- Information Note 4 – ‘Disqualification from Working with Vulnerable Adults’ can be obtained from the DHSSPS website or by calling 028 9052 2559.
- Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0575.
- Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
