Procedures relating to Allegations Management
The procedures relating to Allegations Management should be followed when it is alleged that a member of staff or volunteer 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; or
- behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children.
For further detailed information on the processes followed when one or more of the above criteria is met, or if you are not familiar with dealing with allegations against staff/volunteers, please refer to the South West Child Protection Procedures
All organisations should have a designated senior manager who deals with allegations; in schools, the statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education (2018)’ states that governing bodies and proprietors should appoint a member of staff of the school’s or college’s leadership team to the role of designated safeguarding lead. All staff should be instructed that any allegation should be reported immediately to the designated senior manager. Written safeguarding procedures should reflect this guidance.
On being advised of an allegation which meets the criteria, the designated senior manager should contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within 1 working day.
The LADO’s role is to provide advice and guidance to organisations dealing with allegations, to liaise with the police and other agencies, and to monitor the progress of cases to ensure that they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent with a thorough and fair process.
All referrals should be made in the first instance by phone to Somerset Direct indicating that you wish to refer an allegation against an adult who works with children. Please follow up all referrals using the LADO Reporting Form below.
All allegations against staff are dealt with in accordance with ‘Working Together 2018’. In addition, schools should have regard to Part 4 of the statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (2018).
Downloads:
Annual report of 2016 – 2017 for the LADO service area.
Annual report of 2015 – 2016 for the LADO service area.
Annual report of 2014 – 2015 for the LADO service area.
Annual report of 2013 – 2014 for the LADO service area.