What is a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)?

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What is a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)?

Help and advice from the Child Protection in Sport Unit

The role of the LADO is set out in the HM Government guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006) . Appendix 5 outlines the procedures for managing allegations against people who work with children, for example, those in a position of trust, including club welfare officers.

The LADO works 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 children, or related to a child
behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he is unsuitable to work with children.

The LADO role applies to paid, unpaid, volunteer, casual, agency and self-employed workers. They capture concerns, allegations or offences emanating from outside of work. The LADO is involved from the initial phase of the allegation through to the conclusion of the case.

They will provide advice, guidance and help to determine whether the allegation sits within the scope of the procedures.

The LADO helps co-ordinate information-sharing with the right people and will also monitor and track any investigation, with the aim to resolve it as quickly as possible.

If you need to contact your Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), please consult your Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSBC) or Local Authority .

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