2. GUIDANCE Working Together (2006) 6.20 - 6.30 and Appendix 5
Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education – Chapter 5
Hertfordshire Child Protection Procedures (2007) – Module 10

3. APPLIES TO ALL ORGANISATIONS
All organisations providing services for children or staff or volunteers to work with or care for children, should operate procedures for dealing with allegations which are compliant with the guidance in Working Together (2006) Section 6.20 – 6.30 and Appendix 5

4. PRINCIPLES
Timely, Consistent, Thorough and Fair Process – provides protection for the child and support to the subject of the allegation
Enquiries must be conducted by an independent person – not friend, relative, supervisor or colleague
Employers clarify the facts not investigate – when a concern first comes to light
Children should not be repeatedly interviewed
Confidentiality – ‘need to know basis’ only
‘Unsuitability’ - should be considered throughout the process

5. CRITERIA
The procedures cover all concerns where a person who works with a child has:
- Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed a child, OR
- Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child,
- Behaved towards a child / children in a way that indicates ‘unsuitability’ to work with children

6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Named Senior Officers (NSO)
LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer)
Designated Senior Managers (DSM)

7. Named Senior Officer
Ensuring the organisation operates procedures in accordance with HSCB child protection procedures
Resolving any inter-agency issues
Liaising with HSCB on the subject

8. Local Authority Designated Officer
Be involved in the management and oversight of individual cases
Provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations
Liaise with police and other agencies
Monitor the progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible consistent with a thorough and fair process

9. Designated Senior Manager
All allegations must be reported to the DSM (or his/her deputy in their absence or if the subject of the allegation)
The DSM should report any concern they may have about an allegation not being investigated to their NSO

10. Process
The DSM is not to investigate and/or ask leading questions to clarify an allegation
Confidentiality should not be promised
Actions to be taken include a written record of the allegation using the informant’s words-including time, date and place where the alleged incident took place, what was said and anyone else that was present. The record should be signed and dated
The recipient of an allegation must not unilaterally decide it’s validity

11. Process
The DSM must inform the LADO immediately and always within 1 working day when a allegation is made
If there is any difficulty in communicating this to the LADO allegations should be reported direct to the Police (CAIU) or to Social Care – via the call centre client services team
Consultation with the LADO must not delay any referral where the concern / allegation is clearly very serious

12. DSM and LADO ‘Initial Evaluation’
Does the allegation fit the criteria ?
There are three strands when considering
an allegation:
- Police investigation and possible offence
- Social care enquiries/assessment about whether a child is in need of protection (S47) or services
- Disciplinary action by the employer

13. ‘Initial Evaluation Continued’
Is the allegation demonstrably false ?
- no further action
Is there a risk of significant harm ?
- strategy discussion
Is there no significant harm, but possibly a criminal offence ?
Is there evidence of ‘unsuitability’ to work with children ?

14. Suspension
An employer should discuss this option with the LADO, it should not be an automatic step
Consider where:
Police investigation warranted
Might be grounds for dismissal
Child is at risk of significant harm
Support is needed for those suspended from work

15. DSM / Employer & LADO
Clarify facts of the allegation (not investigate) before contacting the LADO
Work in partnership with the LADO
Provide necessary information
Operate a thorough disciplinary process when appropriate
Keep the LADO updated on process and outcomes
Ensure a properly managed conclusion to process

16. DSM & Parent / Carer Support and information for parent / carer:
- Inform parent / carer of the allegation
- Keep parent / carer up to date
- Help them understand the process
- Inform parent / carer of the outcome (i.e. that there has been a disciplinary process)

17. DSM & Accused Person
Inform the adult after consultation with the LADO about what information can be shared
Treat them honestly / fairly
Help them understand the concerns and the processes
Offer support via welfare arrangements / occupational health
Advise them contact their Union / support
Inform of the outcome of any processes

18. Resignations
All investigations must be completed and brought to a managed conclusion regardless of resignation
‘Compromise Agreements’ must not be used

19. False Allegations
If an allegation is shown to be unfounded the DSM and LADO should consider:
- referral to social care as a child may be being abused elsewhere or be in need of services
- referral to police to consider appropriate action if an allegation is demonstrably shown to be malicious

20. Record Keeping/AMS Database
Provides accurate reference, clarification for CRB disclosures and prevents re-investigation
A clear and comprehensive summary (LADO 6) should be kept on confidential personnel file, copied to the individual, kept until retirement age or 10yrs if longer
The LADO keeps detailed case recording for monitoring and reporting requirements

25. AMS REPORTING FUNCTION
Reports generated by AMS :
Supervision Tool
Lessons Learnt Case Review
Workflow/Timescales
Basic Demographic
Internal Management Process
Offender Profile
Counts for DCSF Reporting

26. LADO Monitoring LADO monitors progress - Fortnightly or monthly
- Via strategy discussions / management meetings
- Through direct liaison with Police / Social care / DSM (Employer)
Police set target review dates
- Within 4 weeks of Initial Evaluation
- Further fortnightly or monthly reviews

27. Timescales Target timescales are achievable in most cases:
- 80% resolved within 1 month
- 90% resolved within 3 months
- All cases concluded within 12 months
(unless exceptional circumstances)

28. Contact Details Frazer Smith – Contact Details Mobile: 07920283106
Office: (01992)
Mel Leicester-Evans – Contact Details
Mobile:
Office: (01992)
LADOs WILL WORK ON A DUTY ROTA