Over the last two years, discussions have taken place within the department regarding the Adult at Risk process. It was acknowledged that one POVA coordinator having Designated Lead Manager responsibility of over a hundred Adults at Risk cases at any given time was not sustainable. A number of options were looked at around the POVA coordinator’s post, but given the national and regional direction, the decision was made to redesign the job description of the POVA Coordinator and place more emphasis on the role of the Section /Team Managers within the Adults at Risk process.
From May 2015, the Section / Team Managers took lead responsibility in relation to the Adult at Risk Process. The POVA Coordinator’s role was redesigned to become the Adult Safeguarding Coordinator, with the following key tasks:
- To quality monitor, audit and evaluate the work of Section / Team Mangers in Adult and Community Services
- Produce performance indicators in the format required to support this both to the service and to the Welsh Government
- Provide quarterly reports about performance, themes and trends relating to the activities in respect of safeguarding and protection
- To work with internal members of staff including Section Managers and partner agencies and provide advice and consultation on Adult Safeguarding issues
To support Section / Team Managers in their role, the department have commissioned specialist training around Chairing Adult at Risk Meetings. This training was delivered in February and March this year. As part of the Quality Assurance Work undertaken by the Safeguarding Unit, an audit of Adult at Risk referrals were audited where the decision had been No Further Action.
The audit focused on the following process and practice areas:
- Initial Evaluation
- Rationale for Decision Making
- Case Recording
In total, 344 cases were audited, where the POVA decision was NFA. The period audited was between 1st January 2015 to the 31st December 2015.
Overall Summary of Findings
- In only one of the 344 cases audited, did the auditor disagree with the decision not to follow the POVA process and arrange a Strategy Meeting.
- A number of the POVA referrals made were inappropriate. It was identified that a number of the referrals were made by Care Providers were in relation to Quality of Care issues.
- A significant number of referrals did not include information around capacity, category of abuse and if the Service User was aware of the referral. This had an impact on the DLM’s role, which often led to the manager having to gather information.
- Good practice examples around follow up work was evident in a number of cases in particular the number of home visits undertaken and updated risk assessments.
- Overall since the changes in the POVA process (May 4th 2015), audit feedback noticed no deterioration in practice, in fact that improvements have been made in particular over the last three months (Oct – Dec).
Further work is still to be undertaken in 2016/17, with a focus on improving the quality of referrals, and developing more specialist training for Designated Lead Managers around the Adult at Risk Process.