Roles & responsibility
What is a LADO (local authority designated officer)?
The LADO, or local authority designated officer, is the person in a local authority responsible for managing allegations against adults who work with children, including staff in children's homes.
Use this diagram+
Free to use on your own site, in training material or in a handout, as long as the credit link stays on it. Paste this where you want the diagram to appear.
<figure>
<img src="https://careoptix.co.uk/glossary/lado/diagram.svg" alt="LADO — diagram from CareOptix" width="880" height="620" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>
<a href="https://careoptix.co.uk/glossary/lado">What is a LADO (local authority designated officer)?</a> — diagram by
<a href="https://careoptix.co.uk">CareOptix</a>
</figcaption>
</figure>The route exists because allegations against staff need handling by someone outside the organisation employing them. An internal investigation as the first step risks both the child's protection and the fairness owed to the employee.
Referral thresholds are set in statutory guidance and are lower than many managers expect. The decision on whether an allegation meets them belongs with the LADO rather than with the home.
Prompt referral protects everyone involved. A delay while a home establishes its own view is the thing most likely to be criticised afterwards, and it does not improve the outcome for the member of staff either.
What goes wrong in practice
- An internal investigation conducted before referral, which can compromise both the child and the process.
- The home deciding the threshold is not met rather than consulting.
- Referral made with no record of what was reported and what was agreed.
- Staff unaware the route exists, so concerns go to a line manager and stop there.