The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is a statutory role - typically fulfilled by an experienced, qualified social worker - responsible for overseeing and managing concerns, allegations, or incidents involving adults who work or volunteer with children. This
includes teachers, childminders, nursery workers, police officers, and volunteers.
What the LADO does (and does not) do
- coordination, not investigation: The LADO does not conduct investigations directly. Instead, they coordinate the professionals who will lead the investigation (such as the Police, Children's Social Care, or the employer), helping them plan their enquiries
- ensuring fairness and compliance: They ensure safeguarding procedures and employment laws are followed, balancing the safety and welfare of the child with ensuring the accused adult is treated fairly and not prejudged
- providing guidance: The LADO offers advice and consultation to employers and voluntary organisations on how to handle concerns safely and properly
- limitations on referrals: The LADO cannot accept direct referrals from parents or carers; concerns must be reported to the appropriate authority (like a school or employer), who then refers the matter to the LADO. Furthermore, the LADO does not make outcome decisions in isolation but collaborates collectively with other agencies.
The investigation process
1. Reporting: When an allegation is made that an adult has harmed a child or behaved in a way indicating they pose a risk, the employer must keep a written record and immediately inform a named person within their setting, who then contacts the LADO (usually within one working day).
2. Assessment and Strategy: The LADO assesses the information to see if the threshold for intervention is met. They may hold a meeting with relevant agencies to share information and decide on the next steps.
3. Investigation: The LADO coordinates who will investigate. If there is a potential criminal offence, the Police are involved; if a child is at risk of significant harm, Children’s Social Care (or the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) will be referred; otherwise, the employer may lead an internal investigation. During this phase, professionals may ask for consent to speak with the child.
Communication and support for families
- confidentiality: Due to data protection laws, the LADO cannot share specific, detailed personal information about the accused individual or the full extent of the investigation with parents
- the named person: To ensure families are not left in the dark, the LADO ensures the investigating organisation appoints a named person to keep parents informed of developments and actions taken.
- protecting the investigation: Parents, carers, and young people are asked not to discuss the allegation with friends or family while the investigation is ongoing to protect the process and its outcome
- independent support: If children or families feel overwhelmed, independent support is recommended through organisations like Childline (0800 1111) or the NSPCC (0808 800 5000).