Allegations against people in a position of trust

If you believe that a child has been harmed by a person in a position of trust, you should contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

The LADO should be advised of 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; or
• behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicated s/he is unsuitable to work with children.

The LADO will act in accordance with Chapter 5 of Working Together 2010, Appendix 5 and any updated guidance relating to this role.

A person in a position of trust includes anyone who works with children in the course of their employment or in a voluntary capacity. Examples include:

• teachers and other members of school staff
• county council employees
• foster carers
• GPs
• nursing staff
• police officers
• probation Service staff
• voluntary sector staff, e.g. NSPCC
• volunteer workers in school or elsewhere

It should be noted that whilst the age of consent for a sexual  relationship is 16 years, any sexual relationship or sexual contact with a 16 or 17 year old by a person in a position of trust is illegal, even if 'consensual'.

If you have a general concern about a member of staff, you should use the complaints procedure for that agency or organisation. LADO deals only with complaints/concerns about staff members where there is a suspicion of harm or abuse of a child, or where there is information that indicates they are not suitable to be working with children.

To report a concern of this nature please contact:

LADO: 01962 876364

Or you can write to:

The Safeguarding Unit

Children’s Services Department
Clarendon House
Monarch Way
Winchester
SO22 5PW