1. for Sefton Local Authority
Managing Allegations
Designated Officer
for Sefton Local Authority
Pauline Trubshaw

2. History of Designated Officer
Ian Huntley et al
First mentioned in Working Together 2006
Practice Guidance DCSF 2009
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2015
Change of name

3. LSCB Responsibilities
Effective inter-agency procedures for managing allegations
System for monitoring and evaluating effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements
Named Senior Officers – member organisations
Independent Designated Officer for the Local Authority
Safe recruitment and selection procedures
Procedures on LSCB website
S11 audits
Sub groups
Critical incident panel

4. Designated Officer (Working Together to Safeguard Children – 2015)
Management and oversight of individual cases
Provide guidance to employers & voluntary organisations,
Liaise with the police and other agencies
Monitor the progress of cases
Ensure a fair and consistent approach to cases
Identify themes and trends and report to LSCB
(Working Together to Safeguard Children – 2015)

5. What is an allegation? When a person who works 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 s/he may pose a risk of harm if they work with children
Grabbing hold of sore wrist and aggravating injury common assault court
Indecent Images
Girl lifting dress up

6. What is an allegation?
Concerns arise about the person's behaviour with regard to his/her own children.
Concerns arise about the behaviour in the private or community life of a partner, member of the family or other household member.
CP plan
Disqualification by Association
Drug dealing / anti social behaviour

7. Strands of an Allegation
A police investigation into an offence or suspected criminal offence.
Consideration by an employer of disciplinary action in respect of the individual.
Regulatory body investigation
No further action

8. Designated Officer for the Local Authority
“ It is important to ensure that even apparently less serious allegations are seen to be followed up, and they are examined objectively by someone independent of the organisation concerned”
Working Together 2015

9. Responsibilities
The Designated Officer to be informed of all allegations no matter how minor within one working day of it coming to light.
The Designated Officer and the Senior Manager of the employing organisation will discuss if it fits the criteria.
The Designated Officer will consult Social Care and/or Police as appropriate.
The allegation may be given back to the referring agency for internal investigation.

10. Strategy Meeting
The Designated Officer will arrange a meeting with the employer and other involved parties.
Copies of reports should be provided
Organisational HR should be invited
Recommendations are agreed and support discussed
Suspension
Lead agency for investigation

11. Management Responsibilities
To have clear mechanisms by which concerns can be raised
To promote a non-hierarchical culture
To ensure staff member is supported
Ongoing suitability checks

12. Key considerations for all roles
Being clear about:
Record keeping
Information sharing/confidentiality
Timescales
Supporting those involved
Monitoring progress
Action to be taken – during investigation and on conclusion
Review meeting

13. Outcomes Substantiated – sufficient evidence to prove
Unsubstantiated There is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation
Malicious - clear evidence to show deliberate act to deceive
Unfounded - There is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation

14. Disclosure and Barring Service
Conclusion of a case, if the allegation is substantiated and the person is dismissed or the employer ceases to use the person’s services, the Designated Officer should discuss with the senior manager and HR, whether a referral to DBS is required.
Legal requirement for employers to make referral to DBS if an individual has engaged in conduct that has harmed/likely to harm a child or poses a risk of harm to a child

15. Lessons Learned
At the conclusion of a case, the Designated Officer and Senior Manager should review the circumstances to ascertain if any lessons can be learnt.

16. Designated Officer for Sefton:
Pauline Trubshaw
C/O 7th Floor
St Peter’s House
Balliol Road
L20 3AB
Tel: