LADO
Local Authority Designated Officer
| Blackburn with Darwen | Blackpool | Lancashire |
| 01254 585 184 | 01253 477558 | 01772 536 694 |
| LADO@blackburn.gov.uk | lado@blackpool.gov.uk | LADO.Admin@lancashire.gov.uk |
As outlined in “Working Together to Safeguard Children” (2018), the LADO will be informed of all allegations against adults working with children and provides advice and guidance to Senior Managers on the progress of cases to ensure they are resolved as quickly as possible. Information relating to allegations is collated and presented to Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire Children’s Safeguarding Assurance Partnership (CSAP) to inform training, research, safer recruitment and awareness raising.
The LADO is located within Children’s Services and should be alerted to all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works 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; or
- 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
The LADO role applies to the children’s workforce (paid, self-employed and volunteers). The LADO is involved from the initial phase of the allegation through to the conclusion of the case.
The LADO will provide advice and guidance and help determine that the allegation sits within the scope of the procedures. Within the role the LADO helps co-ordinate information sharing. The LADO will also monitor and track any investigation with the expectation that it is resolved as quickly as possible.
These procedures may also be used where concerns arise about:
- The person’s behaviour with regard to his/her own children
- The behaviour in the private or community life of a partner, member of the family or other household member
- A person’s behaviour in their personal life, which may impact upon the safety of children to whom they owe a duty of care.
Flowchart: Procedure for Managing Allegations:
concern about any person who works with children who may have:-
▪ Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed a child
▪ Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a child; or
▪ 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