Management of Allegations Against Adults who work with Children Linda Evans (Head of Quality Assurance for Safeguarding) and Majella O’Hagan (Local Authority Designated Officer)

Welcome and Introductions

Purpose of Session To develop improved understanding of: Agency responsibilities in relation to the management of allegations against adults who work with children. Designated Officer role and responsibilities. Thresholds for referring to the Designated Officer Referral process and management of allegations. What 2015/2016 data tells us. Priorities for 2016/2017

Ice breaker

Working Together 2015 “Local Authorities should ensure that allegations against people who work with children are not dealt with in isolation. Any action necessary to address corresponding welfare concerns in relation to the child or children involved should be taken without delay and in a coordinated manner. Local Authorities should in addition, have designated a particular officer or team of officers, to be involved in the management and oversight of allegations against people That work with children. Any such officer or team of officers, should be Sufficiently qualified and experienced to be able to fulfil the role effectively, for example qualified social workers” Working Together 2015, paragraph 4,page 54.

Designated Officer/ referral thresholds Designated Officer (LADO) is responsible for managing and overseeing allegations made when an adult working with children in a paid or voluntary capacity has behaved in a way that meets one of the following thresholds: Behaved in a way that has harmed, 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 would pose a risk of harm to children These procedures also state that consideration also needs to be given to: A person’s behaviour towards their own child Behaviour in private or community life of a partner, family or household member A person’s behaviour in their personal life which may impact on the safety of children to whom they own a duty of care.

Role and Responsibilities of the Designated Officer (cont) The key role and responsibilities of the Designated Officer is to: Oversee the management of allegations against adults who work with children including volunteers. Provide advice and guidance to employers or voluntary organisations; Ensure there is a consistent approach to the application of the policy and procedures when managing allegations Liaise with the police and other agencies, including Ofsted and other professional bodies; Chair allegations meetings and establish an agreed outcome; Facilitate resolution to any inter-agency issues; Liaison with other local authorities where there are cross boundary issues; Collect strategic data in relation to allegations; Share and disseminate learning from enquiries throughout the children’s workforce.

Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People The Designated Officer must ensure: The safety, rights, needs and welfare of the child concerned and other children is consistently promoted in the management of allegations. Ensure as appropriate the voice of children and young people is consistently heard and influences learning from allegations and therefore improvements are made to practice, plans and service development. The management of any allegation ensure the impact on any children is a key consideration including their protection, strategy meetings always consider what needs to be shared with the child or young person effected, any help or support they may need.

Allegation vs. Conduct Issues Case examples

Regional Comparators The following are the definitions of the type of contacts received by the LADO: • Allegation - is a referral to the LADO where there referrer considers there to have been an allegation against an adult who works with children. • Advice/Enquiry - the LADO receives a high number of contacts requesting advice and guidance on a range of safeguarding matters. Advice and guidance is offered in relation to a range of safer working practice matters, policies and procedures and general safeguarding matters. Local Authority 0-19 population Total number of contacts No and percentage of referrals leading to multi-agency strategy meeting or discussion Multi-agency strategy meeting/discussion per 10,000 Bolton 68,260 209 52 (25%) 7.6 Cheshire East 83,000 322 72 (22%) 8.67 Manchester 132,100 254 75 (29.0% 5.67 Salford 57,000 311 58 (18.6%) 10.2 Rochdale 54,000 426 75 (17.6% 13.8

Source of Contacts Faith Groups 2% Health 6% Leisure 1% Other Police Social Care 30% Unknown 4% Voluntary Youth Organisation Early Years 16% Education 34%

Nature of alleged harm Unknown 2% Neglect Sexual 11% Emotional 3% Physical 51% May pose a risk 31%

Referral procedure The Employer Should: The Employer Should Not: In all cases all the general principles outlined below will apply. For convenience the term employer will be used to refer to organisations that have a working relationship with the individual against whom the allegation is made. The Employer Should: The Employer Should Not: ■ Confirm children are safeguarded. ■ Investigate the allegation. ■ Obtain the written account which has been ■ Interview the child. prepared by the person to whom the allegation was made. ■ Record details of potential witnesses ■ Interview the subject ■ Record the details of any discussions and the rationale for any decisions that have been made about the child/member of staff. ■ Interview potential witnesses The LADO should be informed of all allegations that come to the employer’s attention and appear to meet the threshold criteria, so that they can consult other statutory agencies as appropriate. Refer to LADO with 1 working day of an allegation being made. From 4th April 2016 all referrals need to be made using LADO referral form. It is essential that all sections of the referral are completed.

Referral procedure….continued The Completed referral needs to be sent to: qualityassurance@manchester.gcsx.gov.uk On receipt of the referral the LADO will contact the employer and: ■ Confirm that Children have been safeguarded ■ Consider whether further information is needed ■ Discuss details of the allegation taking into account threshold (ass seen above) for LADO involvement. ■ Determine whether there is sufficient evidence or information that indicates whether the allegation is unsubstantiated or false. ■ Determine whether multi-agency investigation of allegation and/or risk of harm to child is indicated. ■ Consider whether suspensions of the individual is appropriate and discuss whether the employer has reached a decision about this.

Questions?????