Are you worried about the way that someone has acted when working with children? Working with children includes voluntary or paid employment.
Where they have:
- behaved in a way that has harmed a child;
- possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child;
- behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates that he or she would pose a risk of harm if they work regularly or closely with children.
- behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children*.
This is in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children Guidance 2024.
A notification will be accepted by the LADO if it meets the criteria set out above.
Anybody who has concerns about a practitioner working or volunteering with children should discuss their concerns with their manager, HR provider and/ or their organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead. This discussion should help to clarify whether the criteria for making a LADO notification has been met.
If it is still unclear whether the criteria has been met after this discussion, practitioners can contact the LADO for further advice using the contact details at the bottom of this page.
If the criteria for referral is met, you have a responsibility to report the allegation or concern to the Local Authority Designated Officer by completing this online reporting form
Please note: LADO will not be able to accept any formal referrals without the above online form being completed in full.
If you suspect that a child is either experiencing or at risk of harm in the first instance:
- Please contact Coventry MASH on: 024 7678 8555 during office hours Monday – Friday (8.30am – 5pm Monday-Thursday and 8.30am – 4.30pm Friday)
- Please contact the Emergency Duty Team on: 024 7683 2222 outside of these hours
- If you believe that there is an immediate risk of harm to a child or young person contact the Police.
What is the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)?
The LADO works on behalf of Coventry City Council and the Coventry Safeguarding Children Partnership to address, advise and manage allegations and concerns against staff, carers and volunteers by addressing matters of safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
The LADO is involved from the initial phase of the allegation through to the conclusion of the case and will:
- be involved in the management and oversight of individual cases.
- provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations
- liaise with the police and other agencies
- monitor the progress of cases to ensure that they are dealt with quickly and fairly
Read further information and guidance in respect of Coventry’s procedures in relation to allegations against individuals in a Position Of Trust inclusive of the LADO role.
If you would like to leave feedback regarding your contact with the LADO Service, please take a moment to complete this online survey.
LADO contact information
Use the direct LADO email should you require advice or further guidance directly from LADO (please note this inbox is monitored 8:30am – 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 8:30am – 4:30pm Fridays). If your enquiry is related to training requests relating to LADO procedures/management of allegations, please feel free to get in touch via the LADO email address, or alternatively, can enrol in the Managing Allegations training contacting the CSCP via email at cscptraining@coventry.gov.uk