Understanding the Role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
The term "LADO" is often mentioned in safeguarding discussions, but many people are unsure what it means, when referrals are made or why a university might become involved.
A referral to a LADO does not automatically mean that someone has done something wrong.
Instead, the LADO provides oversight, advice and coordination where concerns arise about the behaviour of individuals who work, volunteer or hold positions of trust with children, young people or vulnerable adults.
The aim is to ensure concerns are considered appropriately, safeguarding risks are assessed and organisations manage matters fairly, consistently and safely.
What Does LADO Mean?
LADO stands for:
Local Authority Designated Officer
The LADO is responsible for providing oversight and advice where concerns arise about people who work with children.
In some areas, including Wolverhampton, safeguarding arrangements also extend to concerns involving adults at risk and People in Positions of Trust (PiPoT).
The role helps organisations ensure that safeguarding concerns are appropriately considered and managed with safeguarding expertise and oversight.
What Is a Person in a Position of Trust (PiPoT)?
A Person in a Position of Trust is someone who, through their role, has authority, influence or responsibility towards children, young people or adults who may be vulnerable.
Examples may include:
- Teachers
- Lecturers
- Healthcare professionals
- Social workers
- Support staff
- Volunteers
- Placement supervisors
- Coaches
- Youth workers
- Student professionals undertaking regulated placements
The focus is not simply on what happens within the workplace or university. The question is whether behaviour raises concerns about a person's suitability to hold a position of trust or work with vulnerable individuals.
Why Might the University Contact the LADO?
The University may seek advice from, consult with or make referrals to the LADO where concerns suggest that an individual working, volunteering or training within a position of trust may have:
- Behaved in a way that caused harm or may have caused harm.
- Behaved in a way that indicates they may pose a risk.
- Breached professional boundaries.
- Engaged in conduct that raises safeguarding concerns.
- Behaved in a manner that calls into question their suitability to work with children or adults at risk.
Concerns may arise through:
- Safeguarding reports.
- Student disclosures.
- Staff disclosures.
- Placement concerns.
- Complaints.
- Criminal investigations.
- Reports from external organisations.
Can the University Receive Information From the LADO?
Yes.
Whilst universities may sometimes seek advice from or make referrals to the LADO, there are also circumstances where the LADO, Police, Children's Services, Adult Safeguarding teams or other safeguarding partners may contact the University directly.
This may occur where safeguarding agencies become aware of information involving a member of the University community that may have implications for:
- Safety.
- Risk management.
- Professional suitability.
- Placement activity.
- Access to vulnerable groups.
- Ongoing university processes.
- Public protection responsibilities.
The purpose of sharing information is not to determine guilt or innocence but to ensure that appropriate safeguarding considerations can be assessed and managed.
Why Might Information Be Shared With the University?
Information may be shared where safeguarding agencies identify concerns that could affect a person's role, studies, placement activity or interaction with others.
Examples may include:
Police Information
The Police may share information where concerns arise that could affect:
- Student safety.
- Staff safety.
- Placement activity.
- Professional suitability.
- Public protection.
This may include intelligence, investigations or safeguarding concerns where there is a legitimate safeguarding rationale for sharing information.
Children's Services Involvement
Information may be shared where:
- Child protection enquiries are taking place.
- A member of the University community is involved in safeguarding enquiries.
- Concerns exist regarding a person's suitability to work with children.
Adult Safeguarding Enquiries
Information may be shared where safeguarding agencies identify concerns relating to:
- Adults at risk.
- Professional practice.
- Placement environments.
- University activities.
Position of Trust Concerns
The LADO may notify the University where concerns arise about an individual who:
- Works with children.
- Works with adults at risk.
- Holds a position of trust.
- Is undertaking professional training linked to a regulated activity.
This allows the University to consider whether safeguarding actions, support, risk assessments or professional suitability considerations are required.
Does a Referral Mean Someone Is Guilty?
No.
A referral to a LADO is not a finding of fact and is not a disciplinary outcome.
A referral simply means:
A safeguarding concern has been identified that requires consideration and oversight.
The purpose of the referral is to help determine:
- Whether safeguarding thresholds are met.
- What further action may be required.
- Which organisations need to be involved.
- Whether risks need to be managed.
- How concerns should be investigated.
The process exists to support fair, informed and proportionate decision-making.
What Happens After a Referral?
The exact process will depend on the nature of the concern.
The LADO may:
- Provide advice.
- Request further information.
- Convene discussions or meetings.
- Liaise with safeguarding partners.
- Review safeguarding risks.
- Support organisations in determining next steps.
Possible outcomes may include:
- No further action.
- Internal investigation.
- Safeguarding monitoring.
- Risk management planning.
- Referral to another agency.
- Employment or professional processes.
- Police involvement where appropriate.
Not every referral results in formal action.
How Does This Relate to University Processes?
The University remains responsible for managing its own procedures and investigations.
This may include:
- Safeguarding processes.
- Student conduct procedures.
- Fitness to Practise processes.
- Fit to Train processes.
- Human Resources procedures.
- Professional suitability reviews.
The LADO does not replace these processes.
Instead, the LADO provides safeguarding advice, oversight and assurance to help ensure concerns are managed appropriately.
Why Doesn't the University Wait Until External Processes Are Finished?
External investigations can sometimes take many months or even years to conclude.
The University may have immediate responsibilities to:
- Protect students and staff.
- Manage safeguarding risks.
- Consider placement suitability.
- Meet regulatory requirements.
- Respond to professional body expectations.
- Fulfil duties of care.
This means that risk management decisions may sometimes need to be considered before an external process has concluded.
These decisions are not intended to prejudge the outcome of any investigation.
Instead, they are focused on safety, safeguarding and risk management.
What Information Might Be Shared?
Where safeguarding concerns are identified, information may be shared with the LADO or other safeguarding partners where there is a legitimate safeguarding reason to do so.
Any information sharing should be:
- Necessary.
- Proportionate.
- Relevant.
- Lawful.
- Focused on safeguarding needs.
Information is not shared simply because a concern has been raised. Decisions are made carefully and about safeguarding responsibilities, privacy rights and data protection obligations.
How Are Decisions Made About Sharing Information?
Before information is shared, the University will usually consider:
- The nature of the concern.
- The level of risk.
- The safeguarding implications.
- Whether vulnerable individuals may be affected.
- Legal and data protection requirements.
- Advice from safeguarding professionals.
The safety and well-being of individuals will always be a key consideration.
What If I Am the Subject of a Referral or Notification?
Being informed that a safeguarding concern has been shared can feel worrying.
It is important to remember:
- A referral is not a finding of guilt.
- A referral is not a disciplinary sanction.
- Information shared by another agency is not evidence of wrongdoing.
- Safeguarding discussions do not determine the outcome of investigations.
- Individuals should be treated fairly throughout any process.
The purpose of safeguarding processes is to establish facts, assess risk and ensure appropriate decision-making.
Support may also be available for individuals who are the subject of safeguarding concerns or enquiries.
Why Are These Arrangements Important?
LADO and PiPoT processes help organisations:
✓ Protect children and adults at risk.
✓ Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
✓ Ensure consistency in decision-making.
✓ Support fair and transparent processes.
✓ Promote public confidence.
✓ Strengthen safeguarding practice.
✓ Facilitate partnership working between organisations.
These arrangements help ensure that concerns are managed in a way that balances safety, fairness and accountability.
Key Message
A referral to a LADO, or information shared by the LADO with the University, does not mean that someone has done something wrong.
LADO and PiPoT arrangements are safeguarding mechanisms designed to ensure that concerns involving people in positions of trust are considered appropriately, risks are assessed, and organisations receive appropriate safeguarding advice and oversight.
The aim is to protect individuals, support fair decision-making and promote safe learning, working and placement environments for everyone.