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The Role of the LADO & The Allegations Management Process

In an emergency, out of office hours, or if a child is believed to be at immediate risk of harm/suffered significant harm, you should call the police via 999. You should contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for concerns involving children on:

Contact Us

Request safeguarding advice regarding persons who are in a position of trust with children/young people. Person must work in Gloucestershire and be in a position of trust with children/young people under the age of 18 via the link or QR code below:

Advice Request Form 

Report a concern about a member of staff or a volunteer working with children below.
Please return the completed word document to amadmin@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Allegations Management Referral Form

(Please note: The LADO will respond to your Advice Request/Referral within 24 hours of submission)

Working Together for a Safer Children’s Workforce in Gloucestershire

Despite the efforts of organisations to recruit safely and to ensure people who work with children do so in a way that safeguards and promotes children’s welfare, there will be occasions when allegations of abuse, or concerns about individuals in a ‘position of trust’, are raised.

The Local Authority Designated Officer, or LADO, from the Allegation Management Service will need to be consulted when significant safeguarding allegations are identified about any individual who has a role as a professional or volunteer and is involved in working with children of ages from 0 to 18. Examples of such roles will include individuals professionally trained to work with children, those who provide recreational and social activities to children, and faith leaders.

Allegations and concerns occur most frequently within the education, Social Care, health and sporting/ leisure areas. However, the Allegation Management Service is equally relevant and applicable to professionals active in the children’s voluntary sector or individuals providing services to children who are not attached to any organisation/regulated structure.

Individuals who are not part of an organisation or regulatory body are called Managerless. For more guidance on Allegation Management for Managerless individuals please click here: Managerless Individuals Guidance.

When to report a concern?

If you believe that the incident, allegation or concern appears to meet the criteria for Allegation Management involvement, then the Allegation Management Service must be contacted immediately at:  

Email: amadmin@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Phone: 01452 426994

As outlined in government statutory guidelines (Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025), Allegation Management procedures should be followed if a volunteer or member of staff who is in a position of trust and works with children (anyone under the age of 18) is alleged to have:

Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, 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 they may pose a risk of harm to children; or
Behaved in a manner in their private lives that might indicate any of the above conditions.

Please remember that it is imperative the referral is completed fully and accurately. Insufficient or inaccurate information can cause delay, confusion and potentially leave a child/children at risk.

Should I discuss the allegation with the person?

It is important that the alleged victim and person against whom the allegation has been made are not interviewed about the concerns unless this is an agreed decision from the LADO or Allegations Management Meeting (AMM). Speaking to either party might compromise crucial evidence and contaminate a Police, Children’s Social Care or organisations own internal investigation before even started.

Agreement will be required in the Allegations Management Meeting on how best to regularly inform/update the alleged victim, their birth parents or carers and also the person who is the subject of the Allegations Management process.

Throughout the Allegations Management process, the organisation to which the individual is attached must pay particular regard to their Duty of Care responsibilities to the individual as well as the individual’s Right of Reply to the concerns.

When would an Internal Investigation take place?

If, in consultation with the LADO, the decision is that the situation falls below the need for Allegation Management oversight, then a senior manager or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) should conduct an internal investigation and consult with their HR Manager. If further potential safeguarding concerns are identified a result of the internal investigation, then it is recommended you seek further advice and support from the Allegations Management Service.

It is important to understand that all participants in the Allegations Management process are likely to be expected to assist in any formal investigation process, as agreed in the initial Allegations Management Meeting.

Who should attend an Allegations Management meeting?

The initial Allegations Management Meeting should be attended by all relevant multi-agency partners. As a result of consultation with other agencies and HR, it is likely that the organisation to which the individual is attached will need to assess, monitor, review and eventually internally investigate the individual subject to the Allegations Management process.

Further Guidance:

Further guidance which may be helpful about carrying out an internal investigation in addition to consulting HR can be found here at the ACAS website: ACAS Guidance

 

Please remember that it is imperative the referral is completed fully and accurately. Insufficient or inaccurate information can cause delay, confusion and potentially leave a child/children at risk.

Should I discuss the allegation with the person?

It is important that the alleged victim and person against whom the allegation has been made are not interviewed about the concerns unless this is an agreed decision from the LADO or Allegations Management Meeting (AMM). Speaking to either party might compromise crucial evidence and contaminate a Police, Children’s Social Care or organisations own internal investigation before even started.

Agreement will be required in the Allegations Management Meeting on how best to regularly inform/update the alleged victim, their birth parents or carers and also the person who is the subject of the Allegations Management process.

Throughout the Allegations Management process, the organisation to which the individual is attached must pay particular regard to their Duty of Care responsibilities to the individual as well as the individual’s Right of Reply to the concerns.

When would an Internal Investigation take place?

If, in consultation with the LADO, the decision is that the situation falls below the need for Allegation Management oversight, then a senior manager or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) should conduct an internal investigation and consult with their HR Manager. If further potential safeguarding concerns are identified a result of the internal investigation, then it is recommended you seek further advice and support from the Allegations Management Service.

It is important to understand that all participants in the Allegations Management process are likely to be expected to assist in any formal investigation process, as agreed in the initial Allegations Management Meeting.

Who should attend an Allegations Management meeting?

The initial Allegations Management Meeting should be attended by all relevant multi-agency partners. As a result of consultation with other agencies and HR, it is likely that the organisation to which the individual is attached will need to assess, monitor, review and eventually internally investigate the individual subject to the Allegations Management process.

Further Guidance:

Further guidance which may be helpful about carrying out an internal investigation in addition to consulting HR can be found here at the ACAS website: ACAS Guidance

 

  • Undertake any investigation;
  • Have direct communication with the person subject to the allegation;
  • Provide advice and support to the person subject to the allegation;
  • Provide HR advice in respect of suspension or dismissal; or
  • Manage allegations in relation to safeguarding vulnerable adults. Please contact the Adult Social Care team, more information can be found here.

Please also note:

  • Incidents where one child harms another child, or a parent who does not work with children harms their own children, should not be reported to the Allegations Management Service and should be referred directly to Gloucestershire MASH on 01452 426565.
  • Gloucestershire Allegations Management Service does not manage allegations relating to child-on-child bullying unless there is clear evidence of the responsibility being with an adult working with children. 
  • Complaints or dissatisfaction about an individual or their organisation need to be made through the relevant organisational complaints process. The Allegations Management Service does not provide services for complaints resolution.
     
  • Undertake any investigation;
  • Have direct communication with the person subject to the allegation;
  • Provide advice and support to the person subject to the allegation;
  • Provide HR advice in respect of suspension or dismissal; or
  • Manage allegations in relation to safeguarding vulnerable adults. Please contact the Adult Social Care team, more information can be found here.

Please also note:

  • Incidents where one child harms another child, or a parent who does not work with children harms their own children, should not be reported to the Allegations Management Service and should be referred directly to Gloucestershire MASH on 01452 426565.
  • Gloucestershire Allegations Management Service does not manage allegations relating to child-on-child bullying unless there is clear evidence of the responsibility being with an adult working with children. 
  • Complaints or dissatisfaction about an individual or their organisation need to be made through the relevant organisational complaints process. The Allegations Management Service does not provide services for complaints resolution.
     

Transferable Risk is where a childcare professional behaves in a manner in their private lives that may indicate that they could be unsuitable or pose a risk to working with children. 

In Gloucestershire, nearly a third of all adults referred into the Allegations Management Service are due to this type of concern.

Examples of these concerns are: misuse of substances or alcohol, acts of dishonesty, certain criminal offences, violence against a person, sexual assaults, concerns for the welfare of the individual’s own children, or internet crime.

For more details please click the link here for National LADO Network guidance: 

Concerns regarding Transferable Risk may be referred to the Allegations Management Service from any of a number of sources, including the organisation that the individual is attached to.

If the police are involved in a potential criminal situation that requires the oversight of the Allegations Management Service, they will refer in directly, sharing the information by way of a Public Protection Notice (PPN).

Transferable Risk is where a childcare professional behaves in a manner in their private lives that may indicate that they could be unsuitable or pose a risk to working with children. 

In Gloucestershire, nearly a third of all adults referred into the Allegations Management Service are due to this type of concern.

Examples of these concerns are: misuse of substances or alcohol, acts of dishonesty, certain criminal offences, violence against a person, sexual assaults, concerns for the welfare of the individual’s own children, or internet crime.

For more details please click the link here for National LADO Network guidance: 

Concerns regarding Transferable Risk may be referred to the Allegations Management Service from any of a number of sources, including the organisation that the individual is attached to.

If the police are involved in a potential criminal situation that requires the oversight of the Allegations Management Service, they will refer in directly, sharing the information by way of a Public Protection Notice (PPN).

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 provides clear guidance on the Allegations Management process here (Chapter 4) 

It is important to note that the organisation to which the individual is connected will be required at the conclusion of their investigation to provide a clear finding outcome and the investigation report to the LADO.

The outcomes available are:

Substantiated: There is sufficient evidence to prove the allegation;

Malicious: There is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation and there has been a deliberate act to deceive or cause harm to the person subject of the allegation;

False: There is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation;

Unsubstantiated: There is insufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the allegation. The term, therefore, does not imply guilt or innocence; or

Unfounded: To reflect cases where there is no evidence or proper basis which supports the allegation being made.

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 provides clear guidance on the Allegations Management process here (Chapter 4) 

It is important to note that the organisation to which the individual is connected will be required at the conclusion of their investigation to provide a clear finding outcome and the investigation report to the LADO.

The outcomes available are:

Substantiated: There is sufficient evidence to prove the allegation;

Malicious: There is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation and there has been a deliberate act to deceive or cause harm to the person subject of the allegation;

False: There is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation;

Unsubstantiated: There is insufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the allegation. The term, therefore, does not imply guilt or innocence; or

Unfounded: To reflect cases where there is no evidence or proper basis which supports the allegation being made.

Records are kept by the Allegations Management Service for all cases where an allegation is referred or where there has been a consultation with a LADO. Records will be kept and then reviewed before destruction in accordance with Gloucestershire County Council’s retention policies, which can be found here (CSC Section 09.01 - 09.04)

Maintaining records is useful when:

  • Monitoring possible offenders moving between organisations and employers;
  • Providing valuable protection for colleagues wrongly accused, or who have been the subject of malicious intention.

The Allegations Management Service in Gloucestershire will always email a referrer with their decision in order to provide an audit trail for records and decisions made.

Records are kept by the Allegations Management Service for all cases where an allegation is referred or where there has been a consultation with a LADO. Records will be kept and then reviewed before destruction in accordance with Gloucestershire County Council’s retention policies, which can be found here (CSC Section 09.01 - 09.04)

Maintaining records is useful when:

  • Monitoring possible offenders moving between organisations and employers;
  • Providing valuable protection for colleagues wrongly accused, or who have been the subject of malicious intention.

The Allegations Management Service in Gloucestershire will always email a referrer with their decision in order to provide an audit trail for records and decisions made.

Future dates for safeguarding training sessions which include Managing Allegations procedures (incorporating HR-related processes) will be available through the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership. Please email gscptraining@gloucestershire.gov.uk for further information.

The Allegations Management Service can exceptionally also provide more informal 1 to 2-hour briefing sessions to inter-related groups such as community, voluntary or sports organisations, faith groups or language schools.

These briefing sessions are more discussion-focused, and can be useful in grouping together specific job roles and considering frequently asked questions. Such briefings also offer the opportunity for networking with similar function groups whilst also becoming familiar with LADO colleagues. 

The Allegations Management Service can also offer bespoke training packages specific to certain service functions for large groups from our partners, eg Police and Health.

The Allegations Management Service will need to prioritise the availability of any training requested. 

You can contact the AM Admin team to make such a request here: amadmin@gloucestershire.gov.uk 

Future dates for safeguarding training sessions which include Managing Allegations procedures (incorporating HR-related processes) will be available through the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership. Please email gscptraining@gloucestershire.gov.uk for further information.

The Allegations Management Service can exceptionally also provide more informal 1 to 2-hour briefing sessions to inter-related groups such as community, voluntary or sports organisations, faith groups or language schools.

These briefing sessions are more discussion-focused, and can be useful in grouping together specific job roles and considering frequently asked questions. Such briefings also offer the opportunity for networking with similar function groups whilst also becoming familiar with LADO colleagues. 

The Allegations Management Service can also offer bespoke training packages specific to certain service functions for large groups from our partners, eg Police and Health.

The Allegations Management Service will need to prioritise the availability of any training requested. 

You can contact the AM Admin team to make such a request here: amadmin@gloucestershire.gov.uk 

The Allegations Management team are always happy to receive feedback on the service provided.

To assist with obtaining feedback, the below survey link has been developed. Please can you complete this short survey and thank you in advance:

Feedback Survey

If you wish to make a complaint, please use the following link:

Complaints

The Allegations Management team are always happy to receive feedback on the service provided.

To assist with obtaining feedback, the below survey link has been developed. Please can you complete this short survey and thank you in advance:

Feedback Survey

If you wish to make a complaint, please use the following link:

Complaints

The senior manager or DSL responsible for representing the organisation that the person is associated with may be required at the conclusion of the process to make a barring application to the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS).

Any records that are to be submitted to the DBS need to be redacted, removing any third-party information before the application is submitted. The responsible LADO will be able to provide some guidance.

Submit a barring referral here

The senior manager or DSL responsible for representing the organisation that the person is associated with may be required at the conclusion of the process to make a barring application to the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS).

Any records that are to be submitted to the DBS need to be redacted, removing any third-party information before the application is submitted. The responsible LADO will be able to provide some guidance.

Submit a barring referral here

The Role of the LADO & The Allegations Management Process is open today at 9:00am - 5:00pm