6. Concerns about adults who work with children

Managing allegations and concerns about adults who work with children (whether paid or unpaid)

Allegations sometimes arise from a differing understanding of the same event, but when they occur, they are distressing and difficult for all concerned. We also recognise that many allegations are genuine and there are some adults who deliberately seek to harm or abuse children. We work to the thresholds for harm as set out in 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' (2023).

An allegation may relate to a person who works / volunteers with children who has:

• Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child and/or;
• Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child and/or;
• Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he or she may pose a risk of harm to children; and/or
• Behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children.

The 4^th bullet point above recognises circumstances where a member of staff (including locum or supply staff) or volunteer is involved in an incident outside of setting/agency/workplace which did not involve children but could have an impact on their suitability to work with children; this is known as transferrable risk.

Concerns and allegations may result from:

• Information shared with the identified manager by a colleague
• Discussions with parents or children
• A specific incident witnessed by someone

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Anyone who has a concern about someone who works with children must contact the LADO for advice about how to proceed. It is important, and in everyone's best interests, that even minor allegations are followed up and objectively evaluated.

The LADO should in all cases be informed of all allegations immediately or certainly within one working day of the concern first being raised.

Complete a LADO referral form lado-referral-form-agency-oct-2022.doc and send it to LADO@norfolk.gov.uk

The Duty LADO will review the information and be in contact with the referrer to advise of the next steps.

Working Together to Safeguard Children states that in the case of childminders who, unless they are childminding assistants, are likely to be self employed any allegations should be referred to Ofsted.

Ofsted are the regulatory body for childminders and, for the purposes of the process for managing allegations, can be viewed as the employer.

The LADO referral form lado-referral-form-agency-oct-2022.doc must also be completed and submitted to the LADO.This means that parents/carers who have concerns about their childminder need to know the contact details for Ofsted and the LADO when raising concerns.

Remember: Anyof the following concerns MUST be reported to the LADO immediately or certainly within one working day.

When concerns arise, we will always ensure that the safeguarding actions outlined in the local protocol and procedures NSCP Protocol 8.3 - Allegations Against Persons who Work/Volunteer with Children and The Management of Allegations Against People Working with Children Procedure  are adhered to and will seek appropriate advice.

Allegations Against Persons who Work/Volunteer with Children Policy | NSCP (norfolklscp.org.uk)

What do LADOs do?

LADOs are responsible for:

• Establishing whether the allegation falls within the scope of the guidance
• Advising the employer/setting that the child and family members are appropriately involved and informed
• Advising the employer/setting that the person subject to the allegation is appropriately involved, informed and supported as appropriate
• Managing and overseeing individual cases and monitoring progress
• Providing advice and guidance to settings
• Liaising with the Police and other agencies, including Ofsted
• Providing independent scrutiny of reports and information
• Ensuring that the process is fair and thorough and carried out in a timely way; and that clear and appropriate outcomes are achieved for the individual and child concerned and the setting
• Please note that the LADO does not carry out investigations but offers guidance and advice to the person identified to do the investigation

Guidance is available for how to carry out an investigation. For further information contact the Early Years Advice Line on 01603 222300 - option 3 or call the allocated LADO.

FLOWCHARTS - (Hayley to add link)

If a professional working in an early years or childcare setting has a concern about a child follow the link below:

https://www.norfolklscb.org/people-working-with-children/how-to-raise-a-concern/

Refer to the flowchart Safeguarding guidance and reporting - Norfolk Schools and Learning Providers - Norfolk County Council prior to making a call to the Children's Advice and Duty Service (CADS)

For any call raising concerns about a child, the Children's Advice and Duty Service will ask for:

• All of the details known to you/your agency about the child;
• Their family composition including siblings, and where possible, extended family members and anyone important in the child's life;
• The nature of the concern and how immediate it is;
• Any and what kind of work/support you have provided the child or family to date.
• They will also need to know where the child is now and whether you have informed parents/carers of your concern

Norfolk Continuum of Needs Guidance 2023 and The Descriptors of Need Tool to help you highlight areas which are of concern:  Norfolk Guidance to Understanding Continuum of Needs | NSCP | PWWC (norfolklscp.org.uk)

If you have not informed the parents, you will need to explain to CADS why you have made this decision.