Local authority designated officer
We deal with cases where there is a concern or allegation against an adult who works with children. It may be that the person either:
- has or may have harmed a child
- may have committed a criminal offence related to a child
- has behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children
By law, unitary local authorities like Thurrock have a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who is involved in the management and oversight of individual cases. The LADO does not investigate cases but they do:
- give advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations
- work closely with the police and other agencies
- monitor cases to make sure that they are dealt with as quickly, thoroughly and fairly as possible
Allegations against employees must be reported to:
- a senior manager in the organisation immediately
- the LADO within 1 working day
You can download advice on what to do if you concerned about an adult working or volunteering with children.