What is LADO in Safeguarding?

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) plays an important role in safeguarding children. This position ensures allegations made against professionals or volunteers working with children are dealt with quickly, fairly, and effectively. The overarching aim of the LADO is to make sure children are protected from harm while ensuring allegations are investigated properly.

LADO Overview

The LADO is responsible for overseeing allegations made against people who work with children. This includes employees in education, voluntary organisations, religious settings, sports clubs, or any service where individuals come into contact with children. The LADO works as part of the local authority’s safeguarding team. Additionally, the LADO investigates and manages cases where individuals in a position of trust may have abused their power or authority to harm children. This is in accordance with the government’s definition of what is a position of trust, which pertains to individuals who work closely with children and have a duty of care towards them. The LADO plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and protection of children in various professional settings.

Their role focuses on concerns where individuals may have:

• Behaved in a way suggesting they pose a risk to children.
• Committed a criminal offence against a child.
• Acted in a manner incompatible with safely working with children.

The LADO deals with allegations regardless of whether the incident happened during work or in the person’s private life.

Purpose and Role

The main role of the LADO is to provide guidance and monitor cases where allegations have been made. This includes coordinating actions between employers, police, social workers, and other organisations. Ensuring cases are assessed swiftly and fairly is crucial to determining whether further action is required against the individual.

Key responsibilities of the LADO include:

• Offering advice to employers on what steps to take if there’s an allegation.
• Clarifying whether an allegation meets a threshold for further investigation.
• Liaising with agencies like the police or social services for joint investigations.
• Ensuring support is available for the accused individual and the child involved.
• Monitoring the progress of cases to prevent unnecessary delays.
• Keeping track of trends or patterns that might highlight broader safeguarding concerns.

When Should Someone Contact the LADO?

A referral to the LADO should be made when there are allegations or concerns about an adult working or volunteering with children. This doesn’t mean the individual is guilty, but rather that the matter needs investigation.

Situations requiring contact with the LADO include:

• Incidents where an adult has acted inappropriately towards a child.
• Concerns about boundary-breaking behaviour or breaches of a professional code of conduct.
• Reports of misconduct occurring at the individual’s workplace or in their personal life.

It’s important to report concerns even if someone isn’t entirely sure about the validity of the claim. The LADO can advise on whether the allegation meets the criteria for further action.

How the LADO Process Works

When an allegation is reported, the LADO conducts an initial assessment. This stage is about gathering enough information to decide whether the matter needs an investigation.

Steps in the Process:

1. Referral Received
   A concern or allegation is reported to the LADO. This can come from an employer, member of the public, or another professional.
2. Initial Discussion
   The LADO talks with the referring party to clarify the allegation. This may include reviewing policies, speaking to the employer, or meeting with others involved.
3. Threshold Decision
   The LADO determines if the allegation meets the criteria for formal investigation. If it doesn’t, they still offer advice on managing the situation.
4. Strategy Meeting
   If an investigation is necessary, a strategy meeting is arranged. This involves representatives from relevant agencies, such as the employer, police, or social services. They’ll discuss next steps and assign responsibilities.
5. Investigation and Outcome
   Depending on the case, actions could range from disciplinary proceedings to legal actions. The LADO tracks the case to ensure it’s resolved thoroughly.

Outcomes Following Investigation

When an investigation concludes, there are several potential outcomes. These depend on the evidence and the behaviour of the individual concerned.

Some possible outcomes include:

• The individual being cleared of wrongdoing.
• Disciplinary action against the individual, such as retraining or dismissal.
• Criminal charges filed against the individual.
• Making recommendations to avoid future safeguarding issues.

Regardless of the outcome, the LADO ensures both the child and the adult receive support throughout the process.

Myths About the LADO

There are some common misunderstandings about LADO services. Clearing up these misconceptions helps people know what to expect.

Myth: Reporting to the LADO means someone is automatically guilty.

Contacting the LADO allows for an impartial investigation. It doesn’t mean the individual accused is at fault.

Myth: The LADO only gets involved in criminal cases.

The LADO deals with a range of concerns, including breaches of professional boundaries or inappropriate conduct outside work.

Myth: You’ll face consequences for reporting minor suspicions.

Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility. Reporting suspicions isn’t about causing trouble but ensuring concerns are handled appropriately.

Legal Framework

The LADO operates within the framework of UK safeguarding laws. This ensures consistency and legality in how cases are dealt with. Key pieces of legislation include:

• Children Act 1989 and 2004 – Establishes the duty to safeguard children.
• Working Together to Safeguard Children Guidance – Provides guidance for agencies working with children.
• Data Protection Act 2018 – Protects personal information during investigations.
• Education Act 2002 – Reinforces the responsibility of schools and educational settings in child protection.

These laws ensure the LADO can work effectively to protect children’s welfare while respecting the accused individual’s rights.

Supporting the Accused

While the LADO focuses on safeguarding children, they also oversee support for the accused individual. False allegations or suspicions can be distressing and have long-term effects on someone’s life.

Support measures may include:

• Confidential advice from the LADO.
• Access to counselling or mental health support.
• Clear communication about the process and timeframe for outcomes.
• Protecting someone’s reputation until allegations are proven.

Actions Against Organisations

When investigations reveal procedural failures, the LADO may recommend changes within an organisation. For example:

• Retraining staff in safeguarding policies.
• Updating reporting procedures.
• Improving supervision to prevent incidents from occurring.

These actions improve organisational practices and make environments safer for children.

Maintaining Records and Learning

The LADO maintains records of allegations and outcomes. By analysing data, they can identify recurring problems or patterns of behaviour. This helps in recommending changes across agencies or regions to enhance safety.

Conclusion

The LADO plays a vital role in protecting children from harm while ensuring fairness for adults working with them. They investigate allegations, provide guidance, and work with other agencies to keep children safe. Their work makes sure concerns are handled with care while promoting a culture of accountability in industries involving young people.