If you have concerns regarding someone who works with a child including foster carers and volunteers these should be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). This applies to all paid, unpaid, volunteers, casual, agency employees or anyone working in a self-employed capacity.  These individuals are considered working/volunteering in positions of trust.

What must be reported?

As outlined in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ the LADO must be informed of all allegations against adults who work with children.

The LADO is located within Children and Families Services and should be alerted to all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works with children has:

• behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child
• possibly committed a criminal offence against children, 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 that they may not be suitable to work with children

What will happen next?

The LADO will record all concerns, including allegations or offences emanating from outside of work. They will provide advice and guidance and help determine that the allegation sits within the scope of the procedures. 

The LADO is involved in the initial phase of the allegation through to the conclusion of the case and will provide advice and guidance to Senior Managers on the progress of cases to ensure they are resolved as quickly as possible. In addition, the LADO will help co-ordinate information sharing with the right people. They will also monitor and track any investigation with the expectation that it is resolved as quickly as possible.

• See the Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers (link) procedure or search for 'LADO' at http://cumbrialscb.proceduresonline.com/index.htm.

Contact us

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) service in Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Unitary Authorities is currently hosted by Cumberland Council. If you have concerns regarding an adult who works with a child then this should be reported to the LADO within one working day of the concern being identified. For advice please e mail or phone the LADO office. To submit a referral to LADO please use the notification form link below. 

LADO Position of Trust Referral

email completed forms to lado@cumberland.gov.uk

Please note we advise that the document should be password protected. How to password protect a document  

• Tel: 03003 033892
• Email: lado@cumberland.gov.uk
• Post: LADO, Safeguarding Hub, Skirsgill Depot, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2BQ

Please note if you are worried that a child is at risk of immediate harm please contact either the Cumberland Safeguarding Hub on 0333 240 1727 or Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Hub on 0300 373 2724 or see How to refer a child

LADO working hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm 

Additional Resources

LADO Consideration of alternative to suspension

LADO Outcomes of Allegations

LADO Summary of Allegations Management Procedures

LADO Staff Guide

LADO for Employers (leaflet) - managing allegations about adults who work or volunteer with children

LADO for Foster Carers (leaflet) - when an allegation has been made about you

LADO for Individuals (leaflet) - when an allegation has been made about you

LADO for Parents/Carers (leaflet) - what happens next?

Cumbria LADO Referrals Threshold Matrix - explains how intervention decisions are reached and may help when organisations and individuals need to make a referrals