SOVA stands for the safeguarding of vulnerable adults. (It was previously known as POVA or protecting vulnerable people or adults.) Staff working in Care homes need to be aware of the issues pertaining to SOVA to enable them to properly protect the adults in their care.
What is safeguarding in care?
SOVA guidelines regarding appropriate SOVA training come from the Care Act of 2014, which ensures that it is the responsibility of local authorities to protect vulnerable adults at risk of abuse. By extension, authorities should quickly ensure any reported abuse is stopped if it occurs. It is designed to protect those people who – because of their individual vulnerabilities – are unable to protect themselves against abuse.
There are several main principles of the Care Act:
- Empowerment – supporting vulnerable adults, enabling them to make their own decisions and give informed consent
- Protection – protecting and representing those with the greatest needs
- Prevention – proactive in stopping safeguarding issues from developing
- Proportionality – avoiding a one size fits all approach
- Partnership – share information with partners to avoid duplicate responses
- Accountability – Ensuring transparency and clear communication
Vulnerable adults are often silent victims and the act aims to empower them to have a voice, and play an active part in the safeguarding process.
SET YOUR CARE HOME STAFF UP FOR SUCCESS WITH SOVA TRAINING
If you want to understand more about SOVA training and the safeguarding of vulnerable adults in the Care environment then please take a look at our course.
