LADO
Managing Allegations
The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
The Buckinghamshire Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is responsible for overseeing the management of all allegations against people in a position of trust working in Buckinghamshire with children, directly or indirectly, in a paid or voluntary position when that person has or may have:
- Behaved in a way that has harmed a child
- Committed an offence against or related to a child
- Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children
- Behaved in a way that indicates they may be unsuitable to work with children
The LADO does not complete investigations but is involved in the management and oversight of individual cases; providing advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations, and monitoring cases to ensure that they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent with a thorough and fair process. Further information on the LADO and how to respond to allegations can be found in the resources listed below.
Contacting the LADO
Telephone: 01296 382 070
Secure email: secure-LADO@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
The LADO office is open from 9am – 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, and from 9am – 5pm on Friday.
Form to use when making referral to LADO service
LADO Referral Form
The managing allegations against staff and volunteers procedure (7.2) can be accessed from the contents page on this link.
7.2 Managing Allegations against Staff and Volunteers Working with Children
LADO Annual Reports
LADO Annual Report 2022-2023LADO Annual Report 2020-2021
LADO Annual Report 2019-2020
Registered Childminders
If you are a registered childminder working as a sole trader and an allegation is made about you, you should inform Early Years by calling 01296 387111 within 24 hours.
In the first instance, Early Years will support you and consider whether the allegation meets the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) threshold and liaise directly with the LADO as appropriate.
If you are a childminder and employ someone else in a position of trust with children (such as another childminder) and you have concerns or an allegation is made about him or her, you must (in your capacity as an employer) contact the LADO on 01296 382070 or at secure-LADO@buckinghamshire.gov.uk to discuss what to do.
In either case, you should inform Ofsted if appropriate.
Safer Recruitment and Employment
All organisations working with children and young people should be proactive in reducing the risk of child abuse taking place within the services they provide by:
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Developing a safeguarding ethos
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Adopting safe recruitment & effective safe termination of employment practices
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Ensuring all staff understand safe practice, and receive appropriate training in child protection
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Ensuring all vulnerabilities expressed by staff are taken seriously and responded to at the earliest stage
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Ensuring that risk assessments are undertaken following allegations to reduce the likelihood of repetition
Links to the LADO Service’s process flowchart and referral indicator matrix.
A guide for parents or carers of a child or young person who has made an allegation of abuse against a member of staff or volunteer working in the children’s workforce.
The leaflet provides easy to follow guidelines and expectations around professional boundaries. It can be used across the children’s workforce, whether as part of an induction pack for new workers, or as an example of good practice for existing staff.
This leaflet provides safeguarding Information for drivers of private hire vehicles / taxi drivers in relation to transporting children and young people.
Provides clear information as to the process when an allegation has been made against staff or volunteer
Form to use when making referral to LADO service