All organisations have arrangements to safeguard (keep safe) and promote the welfare of children. This includes having policies for dealing with allegations against people who work with children.
An allegation may relate to a person who works with children who has:
- behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child
- possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
- behaved 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
All local authorities have a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who is involved in the management and oversight of individual cases.
They will:
- provide advice and guidance on whether the LADO threshold is met. This is to manage individual allegations of harm and abuse made against staff or volunteers who work with children.
- oversee and coordinate multi agency involvement. This is to ensure relevant information sharing. Providing a timely, fair and reasonable outcome for the child and person against whom an allegation is made.
- identify practical steps that can be taken to improve organisational safeguarding. This is to minimise the risk of further incidences of abuse.
- provide reports to the Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership (KBSP) on the effectiveness of local safeguarding arrangements.
The LADO should be informed within one working day of all allegations that come to an employer’s attention, including those made directly to the police.
Information Leaflets
Further guidance
Useful resources for conducting investigations
Keeping children safe in education (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Guidance for Safer Working Practice
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Bristol Safeguarding Partnership Procedures
Training
KBSP Inter-agency Training
LADO Contact information
Email: LADO@bristol.gov.uk
Telephone: 0117 903 7795
