What is a Local Authority Designated Officer?

Louise Petty

May 11, 2026

5 min read

Safeguarding children relies on effective multi-agency working, clear communication and the confidence to respond appropriately when concerns are raised. While many safeguarding concerns relate directly to a child’s welfare, there are also situations where allegations are made against adults who work or volunteer with children. These concerns must always be taken seriously and managed fairly. In this article, we’ll explain what a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is, when the LADO should be involved, how referrals are made and what happens during a LADO investigation.

What is a LADO?

A Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is the person responsible for managing and overseeing allegations made against adults who work or volunteer with children. The role helps to ensure that any concerns are dealt with fairly, quickly and consistently while keeping children safe.

Every Local Authority in England must appoint a LADO as part of its safeguarding arrangements and in line with statutory guidance, including Working Together to Safeguard Children.

The LADO does not investigate allegations directly but provides advice, guidance and oversight to those managing the allegations. They also help coordinate information sharing between agencies, such as children’s social care, the police, schools and regulatory bodies where appropriate.

The LADO should be contacted when an allegation is made that a person who works 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 they may not be suitable to work with children.

These thresholds apply to people in paid employment, voluntary roles, agency work and self-employed positions where they work with children.

The LADO helps ensure that allegations are recorded appropriately, monitored carefully and progressed in a timely and confidential way. This is an important part of multi-agency safeguarding work, helping organisations balance the need to protect children with the rights of the adult involved.

Professional curiosity is also important when managing allegations, and professionals should always remain open-minded, ask questions where needed and consider the wider circumstances surrounding a concern rather than making assumptions too quickly.

How to Make a Referral to a LADO

When concerns are raised about an adult working with children, it’s important that organisations follow their safeguarding procedures without delay. Clear reporting processes help ensure concerns are assessed quickly and that children remain protected at all times.

In most cases, concerns should first be reported internally to the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), headteacher or manager. Parents and carers can also raise concerns directly with an organisation if they believe a professional’s behaviour may place a child at risk.

The senior manager or lead should then contact the LADO within one working day of the allegation being made. This must happen before any formal investigation takes place.

Referrals to the LADO can be made by:

Schools and colleges.
Early years settings and nurseries.
Healthcare organisations.
Sports clubs and activity providers.
Foster care and residential care providers.
Voluntary and community organisations.
Police or social care professionals.
Parents and carers in some circumstances.

When making a referral, organisations will usually be expected to provide key information about the concern. This may include:

Details of the allegation or incident.
Information about the child or children involved.
Details of the adult involved and their role.
Any immediate safeguarding actions already taken.
Information about witnesses or supporting evidence.

It’s important that organisations do not attempt to investigate the matter before contacting the LADO in order to reduce the risk of compromising safeguarding enquiries or police investigations.

Confidentiality is essential in all settings, and information should only be shared with people who need to know in order to protect children and manage the allegation appropriately.

What Happens in a LADO Investigation?

Once a referral is made, the LADO will review the information provided and decide whether the threshold for involvement has been met. In many areas, the LADO will provide an initial response within one working day to advise whether further action is needed and what steps should happen next.

The first stage is often called an initial evaluation or discussion. This may involve speaking with the employer, children’s social care, the police or other agencies to decide how the concern should be managed.

Depending on the nature of the allegation, the outcome may include:

No further action if the threshold is not met.
Internal management through the employer’s procedures.
A multi-agency strategy meeting.
A police investigation.
Children’s social care involvement.
Referral to a professional or regulatory body.

Throughout the process, the LADO oversees how the allegation is being managed to ensure procedures are followed correctly and that safeguarding remains the priority.

Employers may also need to consider whether temporary safeguarding measures are necessary while enquiries take place. This could include changes to duties, increased supervision or suspension in serious cases. Suspension should not be an automatic response to an allegation and should only be considered where appropriate and proportionate.

Contextual safeguarding can also play an important role during enquiries. This means professionals should consider the wider environment and relationships around a child, including peer groups, online activity, family circumstances and community influences. Looking at the full context can help agencies better understand potential risks and make informed safeguarding decisions.

Professional curiosity remains important throughout the process. Agencies should work together, share information appropriately and remain alert to patterns, inconsistencies or wider safeguarding concerns that may emerge during enquiries.

At the end of the process, the employer and relevant agencies will decide on the final outcome of the allegation. Records should be kept in line with safeguarding and employment guidance, even where allegations are not substantiated.

Safeguarding concerns should never be ignored, particularly when they involve adults in positions of trust. Managing allegations against professionals and volunteers can be complex, but clear safeguarding procedures help protect both children and staff. By understanding the role of the LADO, organisations can help create safer environments for children and ensure all concerns are handled with care, professionalism and accountability.