Day in the life of a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Children’s social care at Portsmouth City Council plays an important role in supporting families and safeguarding children and young people, alongside other practitioners.

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is a unique role sitting within the service quality team, providing oversight and guidance, and monitoring investigations related to concerns about professionals in positions of trust.

This position has now become available. We spoke to Kate Soutter, head of service - safeguarding and quality assurance about this vacancy and what makes this job different.

Can you tell us a little about the work of a Local Authority Designated Officer?

The role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is located within children's services, specifically relating to concerns regarding people working with children in 'positions of trust'. You will review safeguarding referrals, provide guidance, and monitor investigations related to adults working or volunteering with children.

You will ensure concerns are handled fairly and promptly, manage a confidential database, and share insights to prevent future harm.

The role often involves independent working, but will see you collaborating with other professionals, including the safeguarding partnership and LADOs in other local authorities for support and sharing best practice.

You will also contribute to service development and deliver tailored safeguarding training and support to employers and referring organisations.

What is a typical day in the life of a LADO?

You should expect every day to be different.

Some days you will be involved in data analysis, other days might resemble a mini–Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), where you will be reviewing LADO referrals, providing advice, and supporting employers.

You will engage in more strategic work, fostering relationships with the Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership (PSCP), and work with the broader workforce across all our partner agencies.

What qualities does someone need to succeed in this role?

To succeed as a LADO, you should have strong interpersonal skills which are essential for building and maintaining relationships across the city. Developing a solid understanding of the local landscape, including key settings and challenges, is critical.

Our LADO needs to be motivated and confident in working autonomously. Working across the whole partnership and identifying opportunities for service development and contributing to the safety of children across the city. Being able to analyse and use data effectively, to inform your practice and areas for development in the workforce, plays a vital role in guiding the work.

Creativity is key to developing proactive safeguarding approaches, alongside a strong grasp of safeguarding thresholds and confidence in making informed decisions. The role involves chairing complex meetings and supporting colleagues with varying levels of safeguarding knowledge, so curiosity and the ability to ask the right questions are important.

Strong IT skills are also necessary for managing data and maintaining accurate records.

What are some of the challenges and rewards of working as a Local Authority Designated Officer?

There are unique opportunities and challenges in this post.

Being a sole practitioner allows for a high degree of self-direction, offering you the opportunity to be creative and shape the role. You might deliver bespoke training or build relationships with partners beyond the usual network.

The role offers a diverse range of referrals and opportunities to engage with individuals you might not typically encounter in other roles. You also have the chance to develop and lead projects that enhance the service.

However, you may face challenges when dealing with complex situations where resolutions may not be straightforward. High levels of confidentiality are required, particularly when dealing with investigations involving internal colleagues or partner agencies. This confidentiality is crucial for maintaining trust and integrity in the process.

You will play a key role in providing advice, guidance, and challenge to agencies across the partnership in Portsmouth. This involves navigating the complexities of engaging with various systems and organisations, which can be challenging but is integral to ensuring effective safeguarding and protection.

What makes Portsmouth a unique place to work?

Portsmouth is a diverse and unique local authority. The council benefits from strong relationships across the whole of the Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership. This allows the LADO’s awareness-raising efforts to make a tangible impact.

The compact nature of the city also makes it easier to build and maintain key relationships across various sectors, such as education.

There’s significant potential to continue developing critical pieces of work, and building on the established connections to ensure a sense of community and collaboration within the role.

Become Portsmouth’s Local Authority Designated Officer and apply today!

If you have what it takes to be Portsmouth's next LADO, apply today! This job vacancy is available until 26 September 2024. View the information below and continue your career with us.