Local Authority Designated Officer
Children have a right to safe services. If you are concerned about the way in which a member of staff has behaved towards a child, you or your manager must inform the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
As outlined in the Children Act 2004, the LADO will be informed of all allegations against adults who work with children. The LADO provides advice and guidance to senior managers on the progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with robustly and resolved as quickly as possible.
Information relating to allegations are collated in annual reports and presented to the Enfield Safeguarding Children Board to inform training, research, safer recruitment and awareness raising.
The LADO is located 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
Protocol and referral
The LADO role applies to members of staff who are paid, unpaid, permanent, volunteers, casual, agency, or anyone self employed. It covers concerns, allegations or offences emanating from within or outside of work.
The LADO is involved from the initial phase of the allegation through to the conclusion of the case. The LADO will provide advice and guidance and help determine whether the allegation sits within the scope of the procedures. Within the role the LADO helps co-ordinate information sharing. The LADO will also monitor and track any investigation with the expectation that it is resolved as quickly as possible.
For Children & Young People
It can sometimes be difficult to understand a LADO investigation, which at times is very confusing. Our Safeguarding Ambassadors have designed a leaflet to help children and young people understand the process a little bit more. You can review this here PDF, 61.44 KB
Contacts and other information
- LADO - 020 8379 4392
- Police Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) - 020 8733 5139
- Enfield LADO Annual Report 2022- 2023 PDF, 519.73 KB