Managing Allegations against Staff, Carers and Volunteers who work with Children and Young People

All Local Authorities have to have a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to be involved in the management and oversight of individual cases for dealing with allegations against people who work with children.

The Local Authority Designated Officer will provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations, liaising with police and other agencies and monitoring the progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent and fair process.

Organisations working with children should have in place clear policies in line with those from Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards for dealing with allegations against people who work with children.

An allegation may relate to a person who works with children who 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, or
• Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he may pose a risk to children.
• Behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children.

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) should be informed of all allegations within one working day of the allegation coming to light.

The referral form is for any allegation against an adult who works with children and / or adults with care and support needs (known as a person in a Position of Trust) this must be completed when requested by the LADO.

Once an allegation has been received, the following will be considered:

• Police investigation of a possible criminal offence
• An assessment by Children’s Social Care to consider if a child is in need of protection or in need of services
• Consideration by the organisation of Disciplinary Action regarding the Person of Concern

If you receive an allegation against a volunteer or employee who is in a Position of Trust:

• Do not ask victims or witnesses to provide statements or ask for their signatures
• Do write down what is said – keep an accurate record and maintain them securely
• Do ensure that the Person we have concerns about is safeguarded and supported
• Do discuss any conflicts which arise with line manager
• Do not prejudge the outcome

WHISTLEBOWING PROTECTION

For information about the protection all organisations must offer to anyone raising a concern about an adult in a Position of Trust (including a colleague, a manager, a trustee / management committee member, or a member of the governing body of an educational establishment, please see our page on WHISTLEBLOWING