Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Every local authority has a statutory responsibility to have a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who is responsible for co-ordinating the response to allegations that a staff member who works with children may have caused or could cause them harm in the future. A ‘staff member’ is a person whose work brings them into contact with children in their setting. It, therefore, applies to all adults whether paid or working in a voluntary capacity (including supply/agency workers) on or off premises and sites.
The LADO works in Children’s Services and liaises with the Police, Social Care Teams, regulatory bodies such as Ofsted, and other organisations as needed and ensures a consistent, fair and thorough process for both child and adult.
The LADO is responsible for raising awareness and understanding of safe working practices and safer recruitment, share learning based on experiences, to ensure that practice and services are constantly improved, help establish and aid an understanding of baselines from which we can measure the impact of services on children or young people. The LADO is also responsible for identifying gaps in service and service standards and reporting these to the Safeguarding Children Partnership
LADO Referral Consultation Form
Please find further information and guidance below:
LADO Guide for Employees and Volunteers
LADO Guide for Organisations and Professionals
LADO Guide for Parents and Carers
LADO Guide for Children and Young People
LADO Contact Info & Threshold Guidance