Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO)
The Role of the LADO – Allegations Against People in a Position of Trust
Working Together to Safeguard Children refers to local authorities having a designated officer or a team of designated officers involved in the management and oversight of allegations against people that work with children.
The role of the LADO:
The LADO has management and oversight of the investigation process from beginning to end following an allegation against people in a position of trust who work with children.
The LADO is not the decision maker – this remains with the employer, but they will provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations, liaise with police and other agencies and monitor progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent with a fair and thorough process.
The LADO process applies to everyone who works or volunteers with children.
LADO Referrals
If you have concerns about an adult working with a child under the age of 18 that you would like to report, please follow this link for the Arrangements for Managing Allegations of Abuse Against People Who Work With Children.
It is essential that any allegation of abuse made against a person who works with children and young people including those who work in a voluntary capacity are dealt with fairly, quickly, and consistently, in a way that provides effective protection for the child, and at the same time supports the person who is the subject of the allegation. The framework for managing allegations is set out in statutory guidance contained in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015.
This policy applies to allegations against local authority foster carers and local authority residential workers.
Local Authority Designated Officers can be contacted for allegations against all staff and volunteers via:
Email on LADO@suffolk.gov.uk or
LADO central telephone number 0300 123 2044