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What is the LADO?
The LADO is the person who should be notified when it has been alleged that a professional or volunteer who works with children has:
- behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed a child
- possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to a child
- behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children
- behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicated they may not be suitable to work with children
The role involves having oversight of investigations into allegations about practitioners which meet the above criteria, ensuring that these allegations or concerns about adults working or volunteering with children are recorded appropriately, investigated, and monitored and progressed in a timely and confidential way.
The LADO will ask for the voice of the child or young person where appropriate.
The responsibilities of the local authority in relation to the LADO role are outlined in Working Together 2023, statutory guidance produced by the Department for Education and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIC 2022).
There is also useful information on DCC’s LADO pages including guidance about steps to consider before a referral is made.
If you want to contact the LADO, please complete the LADO contact form or email childsc.localauthoritydesignatedofficersecure-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
You should expect a response within 24 hours.
What happens once a contact form is received?
Contact forms will be subject to an initial evaluation through a discussion, usually with the referrer, and where appropriate, involvement of other sectors including the police, social care, employers and regulatory bodies.
The initial evaluation will focus on the nature of the concern, safeguarding of children and consideration about actions in relation to the practitioner concerned. The LADO will decide if threshold is met for LADO involvement and if not they will give you relevant advice.
If threshold is met an allegation management plan will be agreed with the employer, LADO and any other relevant agency through conversation or a meeting – and the LADO will maintain oversight until a conclusion is reached. Each agency will use their own procedures to investigate an allegation
What should practitioners do?
Anybody who has concerns about a practitioner working or volunteering with children should discuss their concerns with their manager, HR provider and/or their organisation’s designated safeguarding lead.
This discussion should help to clarify whether the criteria for making a LADO notification has been met. If it is still unclear whether the criteria has been met after this discussion, practitioners can refer to the LADO to request consultation and advice with the duty LADO.
There is a separate process to follow if concerns relate to a practitioner who works or volunteers with vulnerable adults. Please get in touch with adult services on 0345 1551 007 or see the Devon and Torbay Safeguarding Adults Partnership website for more information about this process.
Urgent child protection concerns should be discussed directly
If you are worried about the safety of a child in Devon and want to speak to someone, or if you are a child worried about your own safety, please contact the ‘Front Door’ (formally MASH) on 0345 155 1071 or email mashsecure@devon.gov.uk and give as much information as you can.
If a child is at immediate risk contact the police on 999.
If you are a professional, you should make a request for support via the Front Door. Please see the Safeguarding One Minute Guide No.4: Making a Front Door (formerly MASH) request for support.
Key contacts
The LADOs for Devon County Council can be contacted by email at ladosecure-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
If you want to know more about the LADO role, or managing allegations against staff, you can consult the: