Allegations about adults who work with children - the LADO
This page is for professionals. If you are a member of the public or a parent see:
Report a concern about a child or a teenager.
Guidance for parents and members of the public
How to raise allegations about people in the children’s workforce
If you have a concern about someone in the children's workforce, please address them directly with the person’s employer or senior safeguarding lead.
The employer has the responsibility to identify an allegation as per the LADO threshold criteria and make a LADO referral within one working day if the threshold is met (s.226 Working together to Safeguard Children 2023).
If the threshold is not met, they may instead choose to address the matter under their lower-level concerns processes, disciplinary policy or as a formal complaint.
If you believe that someone in the children's workforce has committed a crime against a child please make a direct report to the Police. Police also must refer to LADO where appropriate.
If you have already raised your concern with the employer, an investigation is ongoing and the LADO is involved; it is the employer that must update you on their investigation and outcome.
If you are unhappy with the outcome or how the employer completed an investigation, please use their internal complaints procedure to register your dissatisfaction and follow any recommended routes for escalation should you remain unhappy.
The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) deals with allegations about adults who work or volunteer with children. We offer advice to employers and agencies when an allegation has been made about a person, whether at work or in their private life.
Refer directly to the Single Point of Access (SPoA) when a child is at risk of or has been significantly harmed, and an adult who is working or volunteering with children 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 he or she 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.
- You can also use this form to submit an information form to request information about an adult or setting
For other concerns about conduct, you can make a referral to the LADO.