Guidance: Legislation - The POVA list and The Vetting and Barring Scheme

POVA was originally developed as part of the Care Standards Act 2000. Part 7 of the Act decided that a register should be created to ensure that unsuitable people were prevented from working with vulnerable people.

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 introduces a new vetting and barring scheme for those who work with children and vulnerable adults. The scheme is due to be introduced from Autumn 2008 and will replace the Protection of Children Act (POCA) and Protection of Vulnerable Adult (POVA) lists.

The scheme will be managed by the Independent Safeguarding Authority, which will vet all those wishing to work with vulnerable groups. The Authority will check the status of individuals and bar them from working or volunteering with vulnerable groups where appropriate. The Independent Safeguarding Authority will also ensure that individuals' records are continuously checked and their status changed when relevant information comes to light.

More information will be provided on this website nearer the time. However in the meantime you can find out more by following this link: www.isa-gov.org.uk