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Allegations against childcare workers - advice for professionals

LADO concern reports

All allegations and concerns must be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within the same working day.

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) works within a local authority to:

  • provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations
  • liaise with the police and other agencies
  • monitor the progress of cases to ensure that they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent with a thorough and fair process

The role of the LADO is to coordinate all allegations and concerns made against a person who works with children within the City of York. As such, all allegations and concerns must be reported to the LADO; see the LADO Team contact details.

The LADO will maintain a database of all allegations and concerns received and will provide reports to the CYSCP at least annually or on request.

The LADO will advise, in discussion with the senior manager within the organisation, on what action should be taken by the employer and whether the matter should be referred to children's social care and the police for a decision on whether to convene a strategy meeting or an initial evaluation meeting.

The CYSCP have produced a Procedure for Allegations Against Staff, Volunteers, Foster Carers and Prospective Adopters. This guidance deals with allegations against staff, volunteers, foster carers and adopters, it is for employers and organisations responsible for providing services to children and young people.

If you do have concerns and wish to make a referral then please complete the LADO Referral Form.

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These procedures should be followed by:

  • all organisations that provide services for children or young people
  • all organisations that provide staff or volunteers to work with or care for children or young people
  • foster carers
  • prospective adopters

The scope of these procedures is not just for those cases relating to significant harm.

The procedures should be applied in all circumstances where an allegation is made, or a concern arises, that any person who works with or has worked with children, in a paid or unpaid capacity, 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 towards a child or children 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

Allegations may arise in a number of ways from a number of sources, such as:

  • a concern, suspicion, complaint or report from a child, parent or other adult within or outside of the organisation
  • information arising from a disciplinary, criminal or s47 child protection investigation

It should be noted that all agencies should have internal procedures for dealing with allegations against employees, volunteers, foster carers and prospective adopters (as relevant) that comply with these procedures.

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These contact details are for City of York enquiries and concerns only. Please consult your own local authority website for details of your local LADO service.

See the CYSCP Procedure for Allegations Against Staff, Volunteers, Foster Carers and Prospective Adopters.

The National LADO principles are also available for information.

LADO Team contact details

A representative from the LADO team will be available Monday to Friday, however they may be busy on other calls or meetings.

We aim to respond to requests within 24 working hours.

Urgent queries

If you have an urgent query or you believe a child is at risk please contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

Queries outside working hours

Outside office hours, at weekends, and on public holidays contact the Emergency Duty Team.

  • Telephone: 0300 131 2131

LADO Referral Form

If you wish to make an allegation or you have a concern about a professional working with children, young or vulnerable people in the City of York, a referral should be sent to the Local Authority Designated Officer using the LADO Referral Form, giving as much detail as possible.

If you are unable to complete the referral form, please contact the LADO referral team on telephone: 01904 551783 to make your referral or to seek advice.

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See further information about what to do if you are concerned about a child or young person.

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Advice and support about safeguarding arrangements in school settings is provided by the Schools' Safeguarding Adviser.

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