LADO
Employed by the Local Authority, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) manages and has oversight of allegations across the children’s workforce. Each organisation working with children should have a designated lead manager who is responsible for reporting any allegations to, and liaising with, the LADO when there are allegations against people who work or volunteer with children.
The role of the LADO is set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) and is governed by the Authorities duties under section 11 of the Children Act 2004 and London Child Protection Procedures. This guidance outlines procedures for managing allegations against people who work with children. This includes all paid, unpaid, volunteers, casual, agency or anyone self-employed who works with children including foster carers and prospective adopters, as well as 16 & 17 year olds placed in a position of trust.
For more information about the role of the LADO and processes watch this useful webinar.
When should the LADO be contacted?
The LADO must be contacted within one working day in respect of 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 or related to a child; or
- 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 indicates they may not be suitable to work with children.
The LADO should also be notified when, any person who works or volunteers with children:
- has behaved in a way in their personal life that raises safeguarding concerns – these concerns do not have to directly relate to a child but could, for example, include arrest for possession of a weapon
- as a parent or carer, has become subject to child protection procedures
- is closely associated with someone in their personal lives (e.g. partner, member of the family or other household member) who may present a risk of harm to the child or children for who the member of staff is responsible in their employment or volunteering
The LADO’s Role
- Help establish what the ‘next steps’ should be in terms of investigating the matter further
- Provide advice and guidance regarding matters where threshold is not met
- Coordinate the safeguarding and investigative process in response to allegations that do meet threshold
- Liaise with the police and other agencies, and arrange for a LADO Allegations (ASV) meeting to be held if required; if the case is complex there may be a series of meetings
- Monitor and maintain an overview of cases to ensure they’re dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent with a thorough and fair process
- Ensure the appropriate agencies are involved in the investigation and there is appropriate information sharing
- Provide advice in relation to the accused person remaining in post over the course of the investigation
- Ensure appropriate sharing of information with parents, children, the accused and other relevant individuals is considered, as well as their support needs
- Support to ensure a suitable evidence-based outcome is reached
- Assist employers in decisions about a person’s suitability to remain in the children’s workforce, and whether a referral should be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or the appropriate regulatory or professional body
- Consider and feedback any organisational learning
*Please note that the LADO does not conduct investigations themselves but instead has oversight of any investigative process. The overall responsibility will remain with the employer.
Contacting the LADO – Employers and Professionals
To ensure that your contact is dealt with in the most effective way Hillingdon have introduced an electronic contact form. This form should be used both to make a referral to the LADO but also to seek advice and guidance. The LADO contact form is available here.
Please note that in order to ensure we are reviewing your contacts in a timely manner and providing you with the best advice the LADO will no longer be able to discuss new concerns without a contact form being submitted in advance.
Each organisation working with children should have a designated lead manager who is responsible for reporting concerns to the LADO. If the concern has been reported directly to police or Local Authority’s Social Care, they should report the matter to the LADO.
Initially it may be unclear how serious an allegation is and if it meets the above criteria. If there is any doubt advice from the LADO must be sought. In both these scenarios a contact form should be submitted to the LADO within one working day.
Any further advice or guidance needed from the LADO, for example to discuss a low-level concern or staff conduct matters, must also be requested via the LADO contact form. This new process allows the LADO time to review information and ensures a clear record of concerns is kept ensuring past concerns are reviewed when making any decisions.
The LADO will prioritise any matters considered high risk and will endeavour to respond to these in 24 hours and all other contacts within 48 hours. Once the contact form has been received, the LADO will make contact with the referrer via to discuss next steps or arrange a suitable time for a further discussion or meeting. Following discussion with the LADO, if the criteria is not felt to be met, then rationale for no further action from the LADO will be recorded and shared with the referrer.
Please remember
If you are making a referral about an individual you must make them aware you are doing this as a record will be kept. The only exception to this is if you feel a crime has been committed and the adult is unaware of the concern or allegation, in these cases please note this on the contact form and the LADO can provide advice around when the individual should be informed.
Employee or volunteer who is subject of a concern of allegation
If you’re an employee or volunteer who is currently subject to a concern or allegation that is being investigated and the LADO is involved, please communicate with your employer for any updates. The LADO is not able to provide you directly with any information. Your employer should have identified a link person to keep you updated and should inform you of any decisions in writing.
Feedback
We appreciate receiving feedback about our services. It enables us to build on current strengths and resolve any current difficulties.
If you have had any involvement with the LADO service we would like to hear your thoughts and experiences.
Contact Information
Local Authority Designated Officer for Hillingdon, Hannah Ives, can be contacted on:
Tel: 01895 250975
Email: lado@hillingdon.gov.uk
Information for Members of the Public
Members of the public cannot make referrals directly to the LADO. If you have any concerns in relation to an employee or volunteer you should put them to the person’s employer. If you believe a crime has been committed, you should make a report to the Police.
If you have already raised your concern with the employer, an investigation is ongoing and the LADO is involved; the LADO cannot provide you with any further information. The employer must update you on their investigation and outcome.
If you are unhappy with the outcome or how the employer completed an investigation, you should go through their internal complaints procedure.
If you have a concern that is not in relation to an individual worker or volunteer but an organisation as a whole, you should direct this to a wider governing body if one exists. For example Ofsted or NHS Commissioning Trust.
If you have concerns about a child at risk you should contact children’s services where the child resides. In Hillingdon this is via the Stronger Families Hub and you can find further information here
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