Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

Grade 14 | SCP 4243
Salary: £48,226 - £49,282 per annum
Permanent | Full-Time (37 hours per week)

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Quality Assurance and Safeguarding Service for an experienced and passionate safeguarding professional to join us as a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

This is a key specialist role within Children's Services, providing oversight and leadership in the management of allegations and concerns against adults who work or volunteer with children. The successful candidate will play a vital role in ensuring that safeguarding concerns are managed fairly, robustly and in accordance with statutory guidance, whilst maintaining a clear focus on achieving the best outcomes for children and young people.

You will be joining a highly regarded Quality Assurance and Safeguarding Service that is committed to continuous improvement, strong partnership working and delivering high-quality safeguarding practice across the borough.

About the Role

As the Local Authority Designated Officer, you will provide professional advice, guidance and challenge to employers, schools, early years settings, voluntary organisations and partner agencies. You will oversee allegations management processes, support investigations, chair multi-agency meetings and ensure that safeguarding concerns are progressed proportionately and without delay.

The role provides an excellent opportunity to influence safeguarding practice across the partnership, identify learning from allegations, and contribute to strategic service development through quality assurance, analysis and reporting.

Whilst the Council supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements, there is an expectation that the postholder will attend the office and partner agency meetings a minimum of three days per week to support effective partnership working, relationship building, and service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide advice and guidance to employers, schools, providers and voluntary organisations regarding allegations against adults working with children.
• Liaise with the police, children's social care, education settings, regulatory bodies and other relevant agencies as part of enquiries and investigations.
• Manage allegation processes, including chairing allegation management meetings and monitoring the progress of investigations to ensure timely resolution.
• Deliver bespoke safeguarding training and awareness sessions to the children's workforce and partner agencies.
• Analyse trends, themes and learning arising from allegations to strengthen safeguarding arrangements across the partnership.
• Contribute to the quality assurance framework through auditing, reporting and identifying opportunities for service improvement.
• Support the development of safer working practices and safeguarding cultures within organisations.

About You

We are seeking an experienced and confident practitioner who is passionate about safeguarding children and promoting high standards of professional practice.

You will have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England or equivalent
• A minimum of four years' post-qualifying experience within Children's Services.
• Significant experience of safeguarding children and managing complex risk and decision-making.
• An excellent understanding of relevant legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding procedures.
• Experience of chairing meetings and working effectively within a multi-agency environment.
• Strong communication, analytical and report-writing skills.
• The ability to provide constructive challenge, influence decision-making and work confidently under pressure.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity to undertake a highly influential specialist safeguarding role and contribute to ensuring that children across the borough are protected from harm. You will be supported by an experienced management team and have opportunities for ongoing professional development within a service committed to excellence.