Safer Employment & the LADO (Allegations)

Allegations against people working with children

To discuss an allegation against a person working with children, please contact:

Belinda Crowshaw – Walsall’s Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Office number: 01922 652322

Email for initial contact: lado@walsall.gov.uk (referral to be made below via the online referral form)

Email: Belinda.Crowshaw@walsall.gov.uk

The full procedure regarding allegations against people working with children can be viewed within the child protection procedures.

Making a referral

All statutory partner agencies are required to report all allegations to the LADO within one working day. Referrals should be submitted through the portal if the threshold for LADO procedures has been met. Please see the guidance on how to make a referral.

If you are unsure about referring to the LADO please speak to your Designated Safeguarding Lead or manager in the first instance and read Walsall LADO Info all agencies to ensure threshold is met.

If you still require some guidance you can contact the LADO once you have submitted the online referral, we first need the referral to be submitted via the online form in order for any advice from the LADO to be recorded.

• Walsall LADO Managing Allegations flowchart

Allegations against staff / LADO

If you have concerns regarding someone who works with a child including foster carers and volunteers these should be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). This applies to all paid, unpaid, volunteers, casual, agency employees or anyone working in a self-employed capacity.  These individuals are considered working/volunteering in positions of trust.

What must be reported?

As outlined in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ the LADO must be informed of all allegations against adults who work with children.

The LADO is located within Children and Families 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 they may pose a risk of harm to children
• behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates that they may not be suitable to work with children

What will happen next?

The LADO will record all concerns, including allegations or offences emanating from outside of work. They will provide advice and guidance and help determine that the allegation sits within the scope of the procedures.

The LADO is involved in the initial phase of the allegation through to the conclusion of the case and will provide advice and guidance to Senior Managers on the progress of cases to ensure they are resolved as quickly as possible. In addition, the LADO will help co-ordinate information sharing with the right people. They will also monitor and track any investigation with the expectation that it is resolved as quickly as possible.