It is vital that any concerns or allegations of abuse made about a professional working with children and/or adults, whether paid, unpaid, volunteers, casual, agency or anyone self-employed, is reported at the earliest opportunity. This will make sure that any allegation is dealt with fairly and quickly ensuring that the child or adult is protected effectively.
The procedures should be applied when there is an allegation or concerns that a person who works with children for adults with care and support needs, has:
In addition, these procedures should be applied when there is an allegation that any person who works with children:
The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) gives advice and guidance to employers and others who are concerned about an adult who works with children including volunteers and agency staff.
The LADO has the responsibility to help safeguard children in accordance with the statutory guidance set out in Chapter 2: Organisational responsibilities of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 he LADO has the responsibility to help safeguard children in accordance with the statutory guidance set out in Chapter 2: Organisational responsibilities of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023: Working together to safeguard children 2023: statutory guidance or alternatively, you are able to view all of the Working Together 2023 by clicking the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2
The LADO Service for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in now based alongside the other Children's Services in the Borough within Achieving for Children. For all allegations against staff and volunteers, please contact the LADO on 07774 332675. Alternatively you can email LADO@achievingforchildren.org.uk
Please see the below attached documents which shows the LADO process and a Guide for staff and volunteers facing allegations
Managing allegations against staff and volunteers working with children
LADO Process May 2019 PPTX
Allegation Management Framework and People in Positions of Trust (PiPoT)
The Care Act 2014 requires local authorities, their partners and those providing universal care and support services, to have clear policies for dealing with allegations against people in positions of trust i.e. anyone working in either a paid or unpaid capacity with adults with care and support needs. If concerns are raised, the employer (or student body or voluntary organisation) must assess any potential risk to adults with care and support needs who use their services, and, if necessary, to take action to safeguard those adults.
The people in position of trusts (PIPoTS) may be people who are employed and work with or voluntarily undertake activity with adults or children (for example where an employee/worker/volunteer has been accused of the abuse or neglect of an adult with care and support needs.
Please see the Berkshire SABs Allegation Management Framework PDF
The Thames Valley Police have produced the above short film to talk about sexual gain which you can also view by clicking here to open it on YouTube.