Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Are you ready to make a real difference?  This is an exciting opportunity to join Barnsley Children’s Safeguarding Service as a LADO.   This is a new post, we are investing in our services and people and putting additional resources in place to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children, young people and families.  The LADO is a vital role, building on our commitment to children’s safety and wellbeing.  Working alongside the existing experienced LADO You will provide high quality professional and practice advice to the Council and its partners and you will have the overall responsibility for the management of allegations of abuse against adults in a position of trust across the authority.

In this highly respected and rewarding role, you will lead staff allegations, management and safeguarding processes on behalf of the Local Authority and wider partnership. You will ensure that effective processes are consistently followed in order to lead to the very best outcomes in terms of protecting our children and young people.

Working with autonomy, you will also analyse and report upon data, as well as undertaking an influential Quality Assurance role and communicating decisions and outcomes with key partners and employers. 

You will be Social Work England registered, have a degree (or equivalent) in social work, have significant post qualifying experience in children’s safeguarding, and excellent knowledge of relevant childcare legislation, policy and best practice.

You will also possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and have the ability to work independently and confidently with a range of agencies and be able to challenge practice at all levels. You will have a great ability to make tough decisions on complex cases too.

You will join a very busy but supportive and committed team and play a full part in its operation of ensuring the effective safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of vulnerable children and young people in Barnsley. We are focussed on improving outcomes for children.

We are committed to the support and development of our social workers and managers. You will receive regular supervision, appraisal, training and development opportunities, all aimed at promoting positive outcomes for children and supporting your career development and progression.

Here at Barnsley, we live and work by four important values: honesty, teamwork, excellent service, and taking pride in what we do. As part of our team, you can be assured we will support you in striving for excellence in your work. We prioritise learning and enabling you to achieve your potential. So we’ve created a development process that lets you grow in the way that suits you - whether that’s training to be a leader, or learning flexibly online. That’s one of the reasons why we achieved IIP Gold, and why you’ll find your career here inspiring and rewarding.

For further information please contact Rachelle Hattersley, Interim Service Manager Safeguarding rachellehattersey@barnsley.gov.uk 01226 774856