The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) service

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) states that every local authority has a statutory responsibility to have a local authority designated officer (LADO), or team of officers. The LADO is responsible for co-ordinating the response to concerns that a person who works or volunteers with children might have caused or could cause them harm.

In West Berkshire we work to the Berkshire West Safeguarding Children's Partnership (BWSCP) Procedures. You can find the procedures on the BWSCP website.
 

The LADO should be contacted when it is alleged or suspected that a person 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 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

Role of the LADO

The role of the LADO is to:

• receive reports about allegations and to be involved in the management and oversight of individual cases
• provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations
• liaise with the police and other agencies
• monitor the progress of cases to ensure that they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent with a thorough and fair process
• provide advice and guidance to employers in relation to making referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and regulatory bodies such as Ofsted, the General Medical Council (GMC) etc

Contact the LADO

If you are a professional and want to discuss a concern or allegation about an adult working with children, please complete the  LADO contact form [32KB] and return it securely to LADO.LADO@westberks.gov.uk.

More information

• A quick guide to the local authority designated officer (LADO) [375KB]
• West Berkshire Council Privacy Notice [488KB]