Role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
The role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) was introduced within the 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' guidance in 2006. LADOs give advice and guidance on how concerns or allegations about adults working with children should be investigated. The LADO should be contacted if you have concerns or receive a complaint or allegation that a worker/volunteer 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; or
- behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children
There are four LADOs for Essex County Council and they are based within the Children's Safeguarding Team. They can be contacted by phone on 03330 139 797 or by e-mail: lado@essex.gov.uk. If referring an allegation, a written referral is
required. The referral form can be accessed via the Essex Safeguarding Children Board website. Please request a
secure email link by emailing the Duty LADO prior to sending the referral form,
for which you will receive a response within one working day. It is no longer
possible for the Duty LADO to receive password-protected or encrypted documents.
Any referral should be followed up with a referral form. This can be accessed via the Essex Safeguarding Children Board website.
If a concern is raised outside of office hours, and an immediate referral to Social Care is required, this should be made to Essex Social care on 0845 606 1212. The LADO should then be informed at the first available opportunity.
Further information about the role of the LADO is available on the Essex Safeguarding Children Board website.
