The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) should be told when it's been alleged that someone who works with children has:

• behaved in a way which has harmed or might harm a child
• possibly committed a criminal offence against a child
• behaved towards a child or children in a way that suggests he or she would pose a risk of harm
• behaved in way that indicates they're unsuitable to work with children

What the LADO does

The LADO is responsible for:

• giving oversight and managing allegations against people who work with children
• giving guidance to employers and voluntary bodies about how to deal with allegations against people who work with children
• liaising with the police and other groups to make sure that cases are dealt with as quickly as they can
• reporting to the local safeguarding children's board about all allegations against people who work with children and their outcomes

Read more about the LADO role.

If a concern is raised by someone who isn't the employer or the organisation, then sometimes the LADO will advise that a different procedure (for example - making a complaint) is more appropriate.

Contacting the LADO

You can contact the Barnsley LADO by calling (01226) 772341.