The role of Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) may not be as well-known as other qualified social work roles, but they play a critical role in the safeguarding landscape. We spoke to Jodie Turner, LADO with North East Lincolnshire Council, to learn how her role fits into the wider social work profession, find out her route into the role, and clear up some of the misconceptions.

Although this is a qualified social work role, a LADO works independently from children’s services. Their focus is on making sure that any information linked to allegations of harm which comes to light is handled appropriately to ensure the safety of children and young people. Their remit covers allegations made about a person who works with or volunteers with children in any setting. Despite the importance of this, Jodie feels that there can often be confusion or lack of awareness regarding the role of the LADO.

There are three strands of investigation which may apply to an allegation of harm: a police investigation, a disciplinary investigation under employment law, and a children’s services assessment. Often, people mistakenly believe that LADOs are there to conduct investigations themselves, but the role is actually all about managing confidential information and facilitating investigations through effective partnership working. The three types of investigation can overlap, so having a LADO in place helps to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. The LADO ensure that not only all children are safe, but that the accused person, and the organisation is safe whilst those investigations into the allegation are completed.

“As we are clouded by confidentiality, undertaking our duties in silence, we could be described as the forgotten service, until it matters the most. We oversee and manage allegations of harm against people who work or volunteer with children. To do that, we chair multi-agency meetings under the strictest confidentiality. We are the experts and professional friends to all of those agencies to ensure investigations, and safeguards are implemented correctly, ensuring the safety of all children in the local authority area. The role of the LADO extends past the harm suffered to the child within the incident, leading to the process. The LADO ensures the safety of all children that the accused person comes into contact with throughout their lifetime, and career.”

This is a role for experienced social work practitioners, as it requires detailed knowledge of the relevant legislation. A good LADO combines a methodical approach and a sharp eye for detail with the ability to build rapport and engage well with people from all walks of life. While every allegation must be treated seriously, it is also important to set people at ease and demystify the process. Another key part of the role is in making sure relevant people are aware of how allegations are handled, offering reassurance, and reducing uncertainty at what is always a very stressful time:

“We really want to try and lower the anxiety around what happens when someone becomes subject to an allegation. We want people to know, when somebody says something about you, this is what to expect. It’s important that everyone feels supported, because of the stress that’s inherent in the process.”

It's clear that Jodie has found her niche within the profession. So, how did she become a LADO? After qualifying in 2009, Jodie started out in front line child protection teams. She was particularly drawn to working with teenagers, child exploitation and contextual safeguarding. However, it was a spell in an out-of-hours team which really prepared her to take on the LADO role. Out-of-hours work is a very well-rounded area of practice, requiring social workers to be “an expert in absolutely everything with limited resources available, given the time of day you are working”. However, this challenge came with independence, as Jodie was trusted to tackle complex situations her own way, something she particularly enjoys. Having found the mix of challenge and professional autonomy in out of hours work rewarding, the move to a LADO role in 2017 seemed a natural fit.

The other aspect of LADO work which appealed to Jodie is the slower pace of investigative work in comparison to frontline social work practice. This allows her analytical skills and methodical approach to shine:

“It is complex work, but because I’m not in an immediate safeguarding role, I am given the time to be methodical. Yes, I can do really quick decision making in high-risk situations, I can do crisis management, but I’m a professional who burns out if I operate in that environment for too long. There is strength in understanding what you are good at, and what you are not so good at. This is a career where it suits my skill set well, which gives me longevity around managing the work life balance, so I like that part of my job.”

The social work sector is characterised by a wide range of unique specialisms, which allows people to find a role that is ideal for them. In this case, becoming a LADO particularly suits those with an interest in the legal side of the profession:

“We have to have specialist knowledge and experience, not only in criminal investigation and children’s services assessment, but also in employment law. This is the only strand of social work where you’re required to have that level of expertise.”

Like so many other social work roles, outcomes are crucial, and a source of job satisfaction. For Jodie, the key role of the LADO is ensuring the safety of all children when they come into contact with organisations. Being part of the wider safety net for children and young people is one of the most rewarding aspects of her job:

“I think the most fulfilling part is working in a system and process where the safety of children is absolutely paramount. I’m being an integral part of that, quietly in the background. I have independence, I’m able to go and follow any lines of inquiry.”

Working in a role that’s all about bringing the human side of social work practice together with the legislative side, it’s essential for Jodie to believe in the positive effect of great social work practice. That’s why it’s so important to have a system in place to ensure standards remain high, and it’s a huge part of why children’s social work matters:

“It’s about being humble about what we do and understanding that it comes as a privilege. In social work we often see people in their worst moments of life. It’s about being someone’s light at a time when they can only see darkness. In the world of LADO, it’s about, keeping children safe in organisations, and keeping the wrong ones out of the organisations. Forever, full stop.”