The Bichard enquiry identified a number of recommendations designed to help ensure that those who come into contact with children through their work are safe and appropriate.
Despite all efforts to recruit safely and to ensure people who work with children do so in a way that safeguards and promotes their welfare, there will still be occasions when allegations of abuse or concerns about individuals are raised.
If you have concerns regarding someone who works with a child including foster carers and volunteers these should be reported 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.
The previous Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children’s Partnership have developed a 7 minute practitioner briefing on the role of the LADO which you can view here [1].
What must be reported?
The Pan-Dorset Multi Agency Safeguarding Procedures [2] should be used when there is an allegation or concern that any person who works with children, in connection with his/her employment or voluntary activity, 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;
- 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.
These behaviours should be considered within the context of the four categories of abuse (i.e. physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect). These include concerns relating to inappropriate relationships between members of staff and children or young people
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 will:
- be involved in the management and oversight of individual cases which meet the threshold;
- provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations;
- liaise with the police and other agencies;
- monitor the progress of cases to ensure that they are dealt with as quickly as possible, with a thorough and fair consistent process.
Contact the LADO
If you have concerns regarding an adult who works with a child, then this should be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within one working day. These roles are undertaken by the two Councils and you can contact them on:
Dorset:
In the first instance, please could you report your concern/allegation against a person who works with children in Dorset, via our referral form which can be accessed here Dorset Council LADO Referral Template [3]– This replaces the previous e-referral form and should be completed and sent, via email, to lado@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk [4] Please complete the form according to your particular circumstance.
If you are unsure whether the concern meets the Management of Allegations threshold for consideration, then please select the option for advice and guidance only within the form. The LADO will then contact you back via the contact details you provide in the form to discuss your query further.
If you would prefer to contact the LADO directly, or to discuss a concern that the LADO is already aware of, then please contact 01305 221122 or LADO@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk [5]
For more detailed advice on what to do if an allegation is made against a member of staff, please go the Pan-Dorset Multi-agency Safeguarding Procedures [6] and refer to the Bichard Inquiry Report [7]
In case of emergency outside of the above hours please contact the Out of Hours Team;
Dorset
01305 228558