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)

This includes people such as teachers, teaching assistants, foster carers, childminders, nursery staff, sports coaches, health professionals, faith leaders, transport staff and volunteers working with children.

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.

The LADO oversees the management of allegations against identifiable practitioners where one or more of the above criteria are met. This includes ensuring that allegations are recorded, monitored and progressed promptly and confidentially. Throughout the process, the LADO seeks assurance that the child’s views, wishes and lived experience have been appropriately considered.

What the LADO does not do 

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

The LADO does not investigate concerns when they arise. This is the responsibility of the employer, police, or Children and Young People’s Service dependent on the nature of the concern.

The LADO has no remit to investigate complaints about agencies or standards of practice.

Responsibilities

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

If you are a parent, carer or member of the public

If your concern is about someone who works or volunteers with children, report your concern to the organisation where the person works. If you are unsure who to contact, you can seek advice from the LADO Service.

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 and any necessary next steps.  

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

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 after internal consideration there is uncertainty about whether the allegation threshold has been met, you can consult with the LADO. The best way of doing this is by completing the notification form to share full information about the concern, this 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. The meeting is a multi-agency  safeguarding forum rather than a disciplinary hearing. The subject’s views are obtained through their employer and relevant investigative processes. 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 2026