If concerns arise about an individuals behaviour – whether inside or outside of work – that may pose a risk to adults with care and support needs, a PiPoT process may be initiated. This process ensures that any potential safeguarding concerns are assessed and managed appropriately, balancing the rights of the individual with the need to protect others.

The process is a safeguarding response that involves multi-agency collaboration to determine any necessary actions and will:

• Safeguard adults at risk from abuse, neglect, or exploitation
• Ensure concerns about individuals in trusted roles are identified and managed promptly
• Promote safe and professional conduct
• Support fair and proportionate decision-making
• Prevent individuals who pose a risk from continuing in, or moving between, roles of trust

A Person in a Position of Trust concern would arise when there are concerns or allegations that indicate that the person in the Position of Trust poses a risk of harm to adults with care and support needs or they are unsuitable to work with adults with care and support needs.

The four specific threshold criteria for those who work with adults with care and support needs are that they have:

1. Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child/ren and/or adult with care and support needs
2. Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child/ren and/or an adult with care and support needs
3. Behaved towards a child/ren and/or adult with care and support needs in a way that indicates they may pose a risk to a child/ren and/or adult with care and support needs
4. Behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children and/or adults with care and support needs

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) should be informed of all allegations within 24 hours of the allegation coming to light.

There may be times when events in a person’s private life indicate a potential “transferrable risk” to adults with care and support needs that they work with. In such cases, the fourth element of the threshold criteria will often apply. The LADO will consider these cases in partnership with agencies such as the Police, Adult Social Care and/or Children’s Social Care, and the organisation, to decide how best to manage any identified risks.

In Wolverhampton, the PiPoT process is led through the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

The LADO will provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations, liaising with police and other agencies.

When a concern is identified by an organisation a referral to the LADO should be considered.

The referral form for any allegation against an adult who works with adults with care and support needs must be completed when requested by the LADO.

When making a referral you must make a clear distinction between an allegation, a concern about the quality of care or practice or a complaint – this is helpful as only the allegations that highlight those incidents where there is a risk of harm to adults with care and support needs are relevant for a Person in a Position of Trust referral. Consideration should be given to whether a safeguarding referral (eMARF) is required.

Decisions on sharing information must be justifiable and proportionate, based on the potential or actual harm to adults at risk and the rationale for decision-making should always be recorded.

The LADO will consider these factors and determine the safest course of action with the organisation. This may involve a Person in a Position of Trust meeting to share information and agree formal steps to manage risk. In some cases, a jointly agreed risk assessment may be sufficient, with the matter managed less formally. Organisations should address conduct, supervision, or employment matters in accordance with their own policies and procedures.

It is important that, before any formal referral is made, the individual is informed. The organisation must also keep them updated on the outcome of any Person in a Position of Trust process, ensuring openness and transparency wherever possible.

• Organisations are responsible for identifying concerns, managing staff, and ensuring safe working practices
• Safeguarding leads provide advice, coordination, and referrals to external processes
• Local Authority Designated Officer for Wolverhampton will oversee and coordinate PiPoT arrangements
• Partners such as the police or regulatory bodies may be involved where appropriate

Information sharing under the PiPoT process must be lawful, necessary and proportionate. The primary purpose is to protect children and adults from harm, while respecting data protection and human rights principles.

Click here to read the seven golden rules of information sharing.

For information about the protection all organisations must offer to anyone raising a concern about a Person in a Position of Trust (including a colleague, a manager, a trustee / management committee member, or a member of the governing body of an educational establishment) please see our page on Whistleblowing.

Local Authority Designated Officer: Kelly Matthews

Telephone: 01902 550661 

Email: LADO@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Please complete the below form and return to: LADO@wolverhampton.gov.uk

The referral must be completed within 24 hours of becoming aware of the concern.

Referral of an allegation against an adult who works with adults with care and support needs