Allegations Against people in the Children's Workforce

Children should be safe from harm in the community as well as in their homes

People who work or volunteer with children are members of the children's workforce.

The vast majority of people who work or volunteer with children will be over the age of 18. However, the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) may exercise discretion to manage an allegations process for someone under the age of 18 if they are in the children’s workforce, close to adult age and the allegation is serious enough to warrant it.

Role of the LADO

The LADO works with police, children's social care, employers and other involved professionals overseeing and providing advice to their allegations processes.

The LADO will follow the Allegations Against People Who Work with Children - HIPS Procedures to provide oversight and management advice to the allegations process.

The LADO will refer to police and/or children’s social care if assessed appropriate to do so.

Advice for professionals on when to follow the allegations procedures

In accordance with s. 264 of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026, the LADO should be informed within one working day of all allegations that come to an employer’s attention or that are made directly to the police.

If you receive a report that a person in the children's workforce has:

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

the allegations procedures must be followed and a referral submitted to the LADO.

Advice for professionals on how to report an allegation to LADO

Please do not email individual LADOs directly for new advice or referrals. Please make contact as outlined below:

If you are unsure whether or not you need to make a LADO referral, please fill in and submit a Hampshire LADO Enquiry Form Initial enquiry forms will be reviewed by the duty LADO and advice provided as appropriate.

If you wish to make a LADO referral, please fill in this word version of our Hampshire LADO Notification form and email it to [email protected]. It will be reviewed by the duty LADO, assessed and allocated if appropriate, alternatively LADO advice will be given.

Guidance for parents and members of the public on how to raise allegations about people in the children’s workforce

If you have concerns about someone in the children's workforce, please address them directly with the person’s employer or senior safeguarding lead. The employer has the responsibility to identify an allegation as per the LADO threshold criteria and make a LADO referral within one working day if the threshold is met (s. 264 of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026). If the threshold is not met, they may instead choose to address the matter under their lower level concerns processes, internal disciplinary policy or as a formal complaint.

If you believe that someone in the children's workforce has committed a crime against a child please make a direct report to the Police. Police also must refer to LADO where appropriate.

If you have already raised your concern with the employer, an investigation is ongoing and the LADO is involved; it is the employer that must update you on their investigation and outcome.

If you are unhappy with the outcome or how the employer completed an investigation, please use their internal complaints procedure to register your dissatisfaction and follow any recommended routes for escalation should you remain unhappy.