The Role of the Local Authority Designated Officer

The Role of the Local Authority Designated Officer Chapter 2 , Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Govt, 2013)

Allegations Against People who Work with Children n n n Any Person involved in the Children’s Workforce Volunteers Self employed / Sole traders Foster Carers Child minders RISK BY ASSOCIATION

What is an Allegation? n n n Behaved in a way that has, or may have, harmed a child Possibly committed a criminal offence against / related to a child Behaved toward a child in a way which indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children

Identified Risk to Own Children n n If concerns arise about the person’s conduct in their private life, or that of a partner or family member, police and/or children’s social care must consider informing his/her employer in order to assess whethere may be implications for children with whom the person has contact at work. Is there transferable Risk?

Roles & Responsibilities n n n Geographic location of the employer LADO should be involved in the management & oversight of individual cases. Provide advice & guidance to employers & other organisations Liaise with police & other agencies Monitor progress of cases

Timescales n The LADO should be informed within one working day of the allegation coming to the employer’s attention or that are made directly to the police

Referral Process n n n n Directly to the LADO from the employer LADO threshold applied Back to employer for Internal Management Review or Referred to Central Referral Unit (police) CRU/ Children’s Services Department CSD for consideration n OR Notified by statutory agency, e. g. CRU / CSD LADO notifies & engages employer Involvement in subsequent strategy decisions

Strategy Meeting n n There may be three strands in the consideration of an allegation: A police investigation of a possible criminal offence Enquiries and assessment by children’s social care about whether a child is in need of protection or in need of services Consideration by an employer of disciplinary action in respect of the individual.

Information Sharing n n All information should be shared at the initial strategy meeting / discussion Wherever possible the police should obtain consent from individuals concerned to share evidence they obtain with employers or regulatory bodies for disciplinary purposes. This should be done as the investigation proceeds rather than at the conclusion to avoid delay at the end of the investigation or court case.

Timescales for handling cases. Guidance set the aim of resolving 80% of cases in under one month and 90% of cases within 3 months. n Annual report to the Hampshire Safeguarding Children’s Board n

Monitoring Progress n n Following the initial strategy meeting / discussion reviews should be conducted at fortnightly or monthly intervals depending on the complexity of the case If a police investigation is required the police should set a target for consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service. That review should take place no later than 4 weeks after the initial strategy meeting / discussion.

Conclusion n n n Outcome from criminal investigation Outcome from Child Protection enquiries Outcome from disciplinary Referral to Disclosure & Barring Service Referrals to regulatory bodies Learning lessons

Outcomes n Substantiated: there is sufficient identifiable evidence to prove the allegation; n b. False: there is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation; n c. Malicious: there is clear evidence to prove there has been a deliberate act to deceive and the allegation is entirely false; n d. Unfounded: there is no evidence or proper basis which supports the allegation being made. It might also indicate that the person making the allegation misinterpreted the incident or was mistaken about what they saw. Alternatively they may not have been aware of all the circumstances. n e. Unsubstantiated: this is not the same as a false allegation. It means that there is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation. The term, therefore, does not imply guilt or innocence.

Contact Details n n n LADOs: Barbara Piddington – East Eric Skates - West Tel: 01962 876364 Fax: 01962 876229 E-mail: barbara. piddington@hants. gov. uk eric. skates@hants. gov. uk