As set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) the LADO must be informed of any allegations of a safeguarding nature against adults who work or volunteer with children. The detailed process for this is set out in the South West Child Protection Procedures.

The LADO should be alerted to all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works or volunteers with children has:

• behaved in a way that has harmed, 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 they may not be suitable to work with children.

The role of the LADO

The LADO is responsible for:

• Providing advice, information and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations around allegations and concerns regarding paid and unpaid workers.
• Managing and overseeing individual cases from all partner agencies.
• Ensuring the child’s voice is heard and that they are safeguarded.
• Ensuring there is a consistent, fair and thorough process for all adults working with children and young people against whom an allegation is made.
• Monitoring the progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible.
• Recommending a referral and chairing the strategy meeting in cases where the allegation requires investigation by police and/or social care.

The LADO is involved from the initial phase of the allegation through to the conclusion of the case.  The LADO is available to discuss any concerns and to assist you in deciding whether you need to make a referral and/or take any immediate management action to protect a child.

The LADO does not conduct investigations directly, but rather oversees and directs them to ensure thoroughness, timeliness and fairness.

Early years settings

• When an allegation is made against a staff member, where one of the four criteria above is met the early years setting must make a referral to the LADO within one working day.

• Requests for advice from and referrals to the Bristol LADO Team can only be made via a referral form. An up-to-date referral form can be found on the Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership website

• Contact email address for the LADO team is LADO@bristol.gov.uk.

Childminders

When an allegation is made against a childminder, or a household member over the age of 16,  where one of the four criteria above is met, the childminder must self-refer to the LADO within one working day.

• Requests for advice from and referrals to the Bristol LADO Team can only be made via a referral form. An up-to-date referral form can be found on the Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership website

• Contact email address for the LADO team is LADO@bristol.gov.uk.

• In addition to self-referring, childminders can also contact Bristol City Council’s Early Years team for advice and support.

Ofsted Notifications

All early years settings and childminders need to also notify Ofsted of any allegations reported to the LADO team within 14 days:

Ofsted can be contacted in three ways.

• Call on 0300 123 3155 (Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.00pm).
• Email at whistleblowing@ofsted.gov.uk 
• Write: WBHL, Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester M1 2WD