What Is SOVA Training

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Ever thought about how to help someone who might be at risk of being hurt or mistreated? Maybe you work with older adults, help a family member with a disability, or just want to be better prepared to spot and deal with potential problems. If that sounds like you, SOVA training (Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults) might be just what you need.

This blog post discusses SOVA training. We explain what it is, why it’s important, what the training covers, who needs it, and more. We also touch on CARE ACT 2014 and what it says briefly.

Table of contents

Table of contents

• What is SOVA Training?
• Who Needs SOVA Training?
• Why is SOVA Training Important in the UK?
• What the training covers:
• The Care Act 2014 and Protecting Adults
• Final Thoughts

What is SOVA Training?

SOVA Training refers to safeguarding vulnerable adult training, which is a sort of training that gives people the needed skills, tools, and knowledge to spot, report, and stop abuse against vulnerable adults.

The training covers topics such as: identifying abuse, safeguarding procedures, record keeping, building communication skills, confidentiality and preventive measures.

Who Are Vulnerable Adults?

 Some people are more vulnerable due to:

• Age: Older adults may face physical or mental challenges, relying on others for support.
• Disabilities: Those with physical or mental impairments may struggle to defend themselves.
• Learning Challenges: Adults with learning difficulties may find it hard to understand or report abuse.
• Social Situations: Those facing isolation, homelessness, or domestic abuse are at higher risk.

 According to the Care Act 2014, a vulnerable adult is someone over 18 who may need community care due to mental or physical issues, age, or other factors.

Those unable to protect their rights or make decisions fall into this group. You can get more information about safeguarding vulnerble adults in our blog post.

Who Needs SOVA Training?

SOVA training is vital for those who support or come into contact with vulnerable adults for their job.

This includes:

• People who work in care homes
• Healthcare workers like doctors and nurses
• Social workers
• Support workers
• Police officers
• Teachers and school staff
• Volunteers in community groups helping vulnerable adults

But it’s not just for professionals. Anyone who regularly interacts with vulnerable adults, like family, friends, or neighbours, can benefit from knowing the basics of SOVA.

Why is SOVA Training Important in the UK?

In the UK, concerns about safeguarding is very important. Whether it is for children or adult.

Benefits of SOVA Training:

1. Better Protection: Learning about safeguarding helps people identify and report abuse quickly, making sure vulnerable adults get help when they need it most.
2. Better Communication: SOVA training teaches good communication skills, so people can manage difficult situations thoughtfully and well.
3. More Confidence: Knowing how to safeguard adults at risk gives people confidence in their ability to deal with abuse if they come across it.
4. Lower Abuse Risk: With more awareness and prevention methods, the risk of abuse happening in the first place can be minimised.
5. Improved Care: Creating a safe environment for adults builds trust and makes their care experiences better overall.

What the training covers:

SOVA training does not just teach you how to spot and report abuse. The skills and the knowledge give individual the know-how on what to do.

Some of the key aspects of the training deals with:

1. Understanding Vulnerable Adults:
   • Learning about the laws (Care Act 2014) and who is considered a vulnerable adult based on things like age, disability, or situation.
   • Looking at different types of vulnerable adults and their specific needs.
2. Recognising Abuse:
   • Learning about the various kinds of abuse: physical, emotional, financial, sexual, neglect, and exploitation.
   • Knowing the signs that might show someone is being abused, like injuries or changes in behaviour.
   • Understanding how abuse can look different for different vulnerable adults.
3. Reporting Abuse:
   • Learning the right ways to report suspected abuse, like telling social services, the police, or other authorities.
   • Understanding what happens after abuse is reported, like investigations.
4. Talking to Vulnerable Adults:
   • Learning how to communicate well with vulnerable adults who might be upset or scared.
   • Creating a safe space for them to share their experiences.
   • Practicing good listening skills to get accurate information.
5. Keeping Information Private:
   • Understanding why it is important to keep information about abuse cases private and protected.
   • Knowing when it might be okay to share private information to keep someone safe.
6. Record-Keeping:
   • Learning why it is important to write down accurate details about suspected abuse.
   • Understanding what information needs to be recorded while still respecting privacy.
7. Preventing Abuse:
   • Learning ways to create a safe environment for vulnerable adults.
   • Understanding how to reduce the risk of abuse happening in the first place.

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You will love: What is Safeguarding? Explanation of Laws and Regulations Included

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The Care Act 2014 and Protecting Adults

The Care Act 2014 is a cornerstone of safeguarding vulnerable adults in the UK.

While it does not directly mandate SOVA (Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults) training, it creates a legal framework that makes such training essential.

What to know about the CARE ACT 2014:

Care Act 2014:

• Creates a legal responsibility for local councils and care providers to protect adults who are vulnerable to abuse or neglect.
• Defines who counts as an “adult at risk” based on things like age, disability, or situations that make them more likely to be harmed.
• Makes it necessary for local councils to set up plans to keep vulnerable adults safe, often including training for professionals who work with them.Top of Form.

Final Thoughts

Now you have a good idea of what SOVA training is all about.

We briefly discussed how it equips people with the skills to help adults who might be vulnerable and make sure they feel safe and supported.

In the UK, keeping vulnerable adults safe and well is really important. SOVA training helps us all understand how to spot, stop, and deal with abuse or neglect.

Next Step

Ready to take the next step and start safeguarding vulnerable adults in your community?

At Caring for Care Ltd., we have in-person/virtual courses on safeguarding. For the online courses on safeguarding, you can check our shop page and choose the safeguarding category option.

We provide trainings for individuals and groups. We offer both in-person and virtual training sessions, making it easy for everyone across the UK to access.

Our skilled trainers will give you the tools and know-how to spot, report, and stop abuse against vulnerable adults. You can book the Safeguarding Adult Online Training here.