Managing Allegations – wolverhamptonsafeguarding

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Managing allegations against a Person in a Position of Trust

All Local Authorities must have a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to be involved in the management and oversight of individual cases for dealing with allegations against people who work with children.

The Local Authority Designated Officer will provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations, liaising with police and other agencies and monitoring the progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent and fair process.

Organisations working with children should have in place clear policies in line with those from Local Safeguarding Children’s Partnerships for dealing with allegations against people who work with children.

An allegation may relate to a person who works with children who has:

Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child
Possibly committed a criminal offence against children, or related to a child, or
Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he may pose a risk to children
Behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children

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

The referral form is for any allegation against an adult who works with children (known as a person in a Position of Trust) and must be completed when requested by the LADO.

Once an allegation has been received, the following will be considered:

Police investigation of a possible criminal offence
An assessment by Children’s Social Care to consider if a child is in need of protection or in need of services
Consideration by the organisation of disciplinary action regarding the person of concern

If you receive an allegation against a volunteer or employee who is in a Position of Trust (PoT):

Do not ask victims or witnesses to provide statements or ask for their signatures
Do write down what is said – keep an accurate record and maintain them securely
Do ensure that the person we have concerns about is safeguarded and supported
Do discuss any conflicts which arise with your line manager
Do not prejudge the outcome

Roles and Responsibilities

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.

Whistleblowing

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 contact details

Local Authority Designated Officer: Kelly Matthews

Telephone: 01902 550661

Email: LADO@wolverhampton.gov.uk

How to make a referral of an allegation

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 children and young people

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Managing allegations against a Person in a Position of Trust

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