Managing Allegations against Those Who Work or Volunteer with Children

Managing Allegations against Those Who Work or Volunteer with Children

What is the Local Authority Designated Officer?

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is the person who should be notified when it is alleged that a professional or volunteer who works with children has:

• Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child, (Harm Threshold) and/or
• Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child, (Criminal Threshold) and/or
• Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children (Risk Threshold) and/or
• Behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children (Suitability Threshold).

(Also referred to as LADO Allegation Threshold or Criteria)

The procedures apply to anyone over 16 years of age.

Allegations can arise from within a person’s work or voluntary role, personal or social life. Where the allegation relates to someone’s personal life, the transferable risk into their professional or voluntary role should be assessed by the employer or responsible agency.

There is a separate process to follow if concerns relate to a practitioner who undertakes paid or unpaid care with vulnerable adults. Please refer to the NYC Safeguarding Adults procedures, which can be found on the NY Safeguarding Adults Board website:  NYSAB

Role of the LADO

The LADO oversees allegations about practitioners where the above criteria are met, ensuring they are recorded, monitored, and progressed confidentially and promptly. The LADO ensures the child’s voice is heard at every stage.

The LADO does not investigate; this is the responsibility of the employer, police, or Children and Young People’s Service.

Responsibilities

The local authority’s responsibilities in relation to the LADO role are outlined in Working Together 2023, statutory guidance produced by the Department for Education.

Steps for Practitioners

Discuss Concerns: Anybody who has concerns about a practitioner working or volunteering with children should discuss their concerns with their manager, HR provider and/ or their organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead. This discussion should help to clarify whether the criteria for making a LADO notification have been met.

Threshold Not Met: Record your decision-making and consider whether any other internal processes should be followed, for example, the Low Level concerns process.

Threshold Met: If you believe the threshold for notifying LADO is met, this should be done within 1 working day, using the Notification form, which can be found on the NYSCP website: NYSCP – LADO Notification Form.

 This should take place before any investigations commence.

Consult with LADO: If it remains unclear whether the threshold for notification to LADO is met, you can consult with the LADO by completing the notification form to share information, which supports sound decision-making.

Urgent Child Protection Concerns

If there is an immediate risk to a child, you need to contact the police via 999 or 101 and the Children & Families Service on 0300 131 2 131 as soon as possible.

What Happens After a Notification is Received?

• Initial Screening: The LADO evaluates the notification, involving the police, social care, employers, and regulatory bodies as needed.
• Inter-agency Meetings: The LADO will convene Multi-agency Allegations Management Meetings to manage specific or complex situations.
• Investigation: Each agency uses its own internal procedures to investigate the allegation, with the LADO offering guidance on safeguarding practice.

Allegation Conclusion

To conclude an allegation, a Final LADO Review is held. This multi-agency safeguarding forum (not a disciplinary or legal hearing) assesses all strands of investigation. The subject is not invited. The outcome is a safeguarding judgement, governed by Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Key Contacts and Further Information

LADO Contact: Monday to Friday

☎️  01609 798005 or ✉️  lado@northyorks.gov.uk.Further Information: consult the managing allegations pages NYSCP Website – LADO Web page

Other resources:

• LADO Leaflet for Children and Young People
• LADO A4 Poster
• LADO Leaflet for Parents and Carers
• LADO Allegations Leaflet

Page reviewed: September 2025