Reference for LADOs handling allegations against people in positions of trust. Threshold, process, outcomes, multi-agency coordination, and record retention.
As a Local Authority Designated Officer, you oversee the management of allegations against adults who work or volunteer with children. Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and KCSiE 2025 set out the framework you operate within, but the day-to-day reality is judgement under pressure: balancing the rights of an accused adult, the protection of children, and the legitimate interests of the employer. This page is a working reference for practitioners, not an introductory text.
LADO decisions shape the lives of children who may be at risk, adults whose careers may be on the line, and organisations whose culture is under scrutiny. Consistent thresholds, clear written rationale, and timely multi-agency working are what separate a strong LADO service from one that loses cases at panel. The role is also a barometer of organisational health — a sharp rise or fall in referrals from a particular setting is itself information.