Local Authority Designated Officer

Job Description

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Location: Lancashire House, Accrington/Hybrid

Employment: Permanent | Full Time | 37 hours | Salary £46,142- £51,356 | Grade 10 SCP 41-44

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated professional to join Lancashire County Council's expanding Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Service. This key safeguarding role will provide advice, guidance, and oversight in relation to allegations and concerns about adults who work or volunteer with children and young people. Working at the heart of Lancashire's safeguarding partnership arrangements, you will ensure that allegations are managed fairly, consistently, and effectively, placing the safety and wellbeing of children at the centre of all decision making.

• Oversee allegations and concerns relating to adults working with children and young people.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to schools, colleges, early years settings, health services, voluntary organisations and partner agencies.
• Chair and contribute to allegations management meetings and other multi‑agency safeguarding forums.
• Work closely with Children's Social Care, MASH, Police, Human Resources professionals and other statutory and voluntary sector partners.
• Monitor and track cases to ensure timely progression and effective outcomes.
• Support safeguarding practice through training, advice, awareness‑raising and professional challenge where required.
• Liaise with regulatory and safeguarding bodies including the Disclosure and Barring Service, Teaching Regulation Agency and other professional regulators.

• Significant experience working in children’s safeguarding services.
• Strong understanding of managing allegations procedures and statutory safeguarding guidance.
• Ability to analyse complex information and make balanced, evidence‑based decisions.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship‑building skills.
• Confidence chairing meetings and influencing across a wide range of agencies.
• Experience working collaboratively within multi‑agency environments.
• Resilience, sound judgement and commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children and young people.
• Recognised professional qualification in social work.

The successful candidate will provide oversight, advice and guidance in relation to allegations against adults working with children and young people, ensuring safeguarding concerns are managed effectively, consistently and in line with statutory guidance. The role involves close partnership working with Children’s Social Care, Police, schools, employers and other safeguarding partners, alongside chairing allegations management meetings and supporting multi‑agency decision making.

At Lancashire County Council, safeguarding children and young people is at the heart of everything we do. This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly respected team with a strong reputation for partnership working, professional development and continuous improvement. In return, we offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities.
• Generous local government pension scheme.
• A comprehensive package of employee benefits.
• Access to learning, development and career progression opportunities.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.

We are committed to being supportive, innovative, respectful and collaborative, and we want our workforce to reflect the diverse communities we serve and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

For an informal discussion please contact the LADO Team Manager:
Chris Turner (Ch) or Senior Manager Catherine Bailey (Cather).