The Department of Health has promised more protection for vulnerable adults.

Article 46 of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Order 2003 (POCVA) will commenced on the 30th July, and it will mean that providers of care to vulnerable adults in residential and nursing homes and in the client's own home must carry out a POCVA check on prospective employees.

"They will commit an offence", a spokeswoman explained, " 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 'disqualified' 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.

The Department spokeswoman said safeguarding the most vulnerable in our society was 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 'disqualified' list is maintained by the Department 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' at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/pova.pdf .