Procedure for Managing Allegations against Adults who work with Children
General
The management of allegations will follow the guidance set out in “Working Together to Safeguard Children, Appendix 5 page 239.
In particular this practice will be employed in all cases where it is alleged that a person who works with children has:
- Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child.
- Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a child.
- Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he is unsuitable to work with children.
The Board has adopted a procedure for managing allegations against adults which can be found in the document library attached to these procedures. This document reflects the expectations of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006 as well as government guidance on the handling of allegations against Foster Carers, Childminders and School Staff.
Named senior Managers
Partner Organisations have named Senior Managers and Human Resource contacts. Details of these can be obtained from the Local Authority Designated Officer (see below)
Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO)
Senior managers in all organisations associated with the Board must ensure that notification of any allegation is made to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). Currently this referral should be made to:
David Goss or Mark Turner Tel: 01952 385678.
A referral form is available and a copy is filed in the document library.
LADO Flow charts showing the structure for supporting the management of allegations and the process following the notification of the LADO are available in the document library in these procedures.
Disciplinary Procedures
Agencies will need to consider whether the matter falls within their own disciplinary procedure and proceed accordingly. In this case, agencies will have regard to, and co-operate with, any enquiry under section 47 Children Act 1989, or any police enquiry, so as not to duplicate information gathering or contaminate evidence.