Introduction for the PAVA Wales Page
 

The Wales branch of PAVA was established in October 2003 . PAVA Wales is for all practitioners who have an interest in adult protection. The branch has a small executive whose primary aim is to provide three or four events in different parts of Wales each year for exploring issues of interest and relevance to practitioners The Executive comprises workers from a range of disciplines including social services, police, health, research, the voluntary sector and CSSIW who help ensure that the meeting reflect all interests.

In recent years adult abuse has begun to be better recognised and addressed, but it is still ‘early days’ and practitioners are generally concerned to share and learn. Speakers are invited for our meetings but the events are characterised by opportunities for those attending to participate. Case studies are discussed and, since cases often involve a range of agencies, they provide valuable opportunities for participants to learn from each others perspectives. Our programme since our commenced is set out below.

The one other feature of our work is campaigning for change where we believe this to be necessary. For example, at a meeting in North Wales we explored with a Crown Prosecution Service manager ( who provided an excellent presentation ) our concerns about what appear to be low prosecution rates of criminal abuse. Following this meeting, at the request of PAVA Wales, the Wales Adult Protection Advisory Group agreed to set up a Task and Finish Group chaired by PAVA , comprising CPS, Police, Social Services and other agencies representatives to explore how to improve prosecution rates. This is due to report this autumn.

Mick Collins

Chair

Pava Wales.