LADO - Concerns About Professionals

If you have concerns regarding someone who works with a child including foster carers and volunteers these should be reported to to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). This applies to all paid, unpaid, volunteers, casual, agency employees or anyone working in a self-employed capacity. These individuals are considered working/volunteering in positions of trust.

What must be reported?

As set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) the LADO must be informed of all allegations against adults who work or volunteer with children.

The LADO should be alerted to all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works or volunteers 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 indicates they may not be suitable to work with children.

What will happen next?

The LADO will record all concerns, including allegations or offences emanating from outside of work. They will provide advice and guidance and help determine that the allegation sits within the scope of the procedures.

The LADO is involved in the initial phase of the allegation through to the conclusion of the case and will provide advice and guidance to Senior Managers on the progress of cases to ensure they are resolved as quickly as possible. In addition, the LADO will help co-ordinate information sharing with the right people. They will also monitor and track any investigation with the expectation that it is resolved as quickly as possible.

See the Bath & North East Somerset procedures for Managing Allegations against Staff or Volunteers who work with children.

Contact the LADO

The LADO is located within Bath & North East Somerset Council. If you have concerns regarding an adult who works or volunteers with a child then this should be reported to the LADO within one working day of the concern being identified. For advice complete and return the LADO Managing Allegations Referral Form to LADO@bathnes.gov.uk