No. 41: Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

What is the purpose of a LADO?

Part four of Keeping Child Safe in Education (KCSiE) gives guidance on duties set out to education employers and employees’ if they have a concerns that a colleague may have:

• behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a child
• possibly committed a criminal offence against children, 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

If the allegation meets the above criteria then it is a requirement that immediate intervention is sought through social care and / or the police. When a referral is made to social care, their involvement is co-ordinated by the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

What is the role of a LADO?

The LADO is responsible for co-ordinating the response to concerns that an adult who works with children may have caused them or could cause them harm. The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) works within Children’s Services and gives advice and guidance to employers, organisations and other individuals who have concerns about the behaviour of an adult who works with children and young people.
The LADO will:

• coordinate the safeguarding and investigative process in response to allegations made against people working with children.
• provide advice/guidance to employers.
• liaise with police and other agencies including Ofsted and professional bodies such as the General Medical Council and the Teaching Regulatory Agency.
• monitor the progress of referrals to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent with a thorough and fair process.
• resolve any inter-agency issues.
• collect strategic data and maintain a confidential database in relation to allegations.
• disseminate learning from LADO enquiries through the children’s workforce.

To ensure that measures are in place to prevent further harm or abuse and that where required, referrals are made to the appropriate social care team.

When should a referral be made to the LADO?

The LADO should be alerted to all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works with children has:

• behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a child
• possibly committed a criminal offence against children, 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

Allegations of historical abuse should be responded in the same way as contemporary concerns. In such cases, it is important to find out whether the person against whom the allegation is made is still working with children and if so, to inform the person’s current employer or voluntary organisation or refer their family for assessment.

How to make a LADO referral?

If you need to contact Devon’s LADO, please consider all the guidance from your organisations first for example Whistleblowing policy. If you are concerned about a colleague speak to your Head Teacher or Chair of Governors and they will support your decision about next steps. If you feel unable to speak to the Head Teacher or Chair of Governors (or equivalent) please follow the guidance below bout how to contact.
If you believe the concern meets the remit of the LADO service, please complete the notification form (not advice form below) or telephone 01392 384964 or email childsc.localauthoritydesignatedofficersecure-mailbox@devon.gov.uk to be sent a copy of the notification form.

What will happen when I submit a notification form?

Following notification, and within one working day, the first step will be to offer an initial evaluation discussion of the concern. This will consist of advice and guidance regarding the most appropriate way of managing the allegation and whether the referral meets the criteria for LADO involvement.
If the referral meets the criteria for LADO involvement, the LADO will:

• Arrange a Managing Allegations strategy meeting if one is required, liaising with the police and other agencies as necessary. If the case is complex there may be a series of meetings.
• Ensure that child protection procedures are initiated where the child is considered to be at risk of significant harm.
• Provide advice about sharing information the individual against whom the allegation has been made, with children and their families and others (view advice for organisations guidance).
• Advice on whether the person should be suspended while investigations are undertaken.
• Ensure employers are aware of their duty to notify the appropriate regulatory bodies and/or to refer the individual to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).