Procedures for Managing Allegations Against Individuals Working With Children

1. Rita Dada Local Designated Officer (LADO) LBB 2017

2. LADOPresentation • Procedures for Managing Allegations Against People Who Work With Children In Bromley • The Role of LADO www.bromleysafeguarding.org

3. Statutory Framework All organisations which provide services for children or provide staff or volunteers to work with or care for children should operate a procedure for handling allegations which is consistent with the guidance in of Working Together. • Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004 • Working Together To Safeguard Children- Appendix 5 • Chapter 7 of the London Child Protection Procedures, (5th Edition 2015) www.bromleysafeguarding.org

4. The Criteria for Allegation Procedures • Applies to all cases where it is alleged that a person who works with children has: • Behaved in a way that has harmed a child or may have harmed a child (professional or private) • Possibly committed a criminal offence • Indicates s/he would pose a risk of harm if they work regularly or closely with children www.bromleysafeguarding.org

5. The Criteria for Allegation Procedures Applicable to all Bromley staff: • Employed by Bromley (paid or unpaid) • Working through agencies • Volunteers www.bromleysafeguarding.org

6. Reporting Allegations • When a concern has been raised about a person working with children and young people that meets the criteria, the concern should be reported immediately to: • The senior manager within the organisation with designated responsibility for managing allegations • The Head teacher or Principal of the educational establishment • The Team Manager of the supervising social worker

7. Reporting Allegations • All concerns that meet the criteria must be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within 1 working day. • Do not investigate the allegation or promise confidentiality. • The LADO will discuss the matter with the employer and consider the available information/evidence. www.bromleysafeguarding.org

8. Role of the LADO The Local Authority Designated Officer: • Assesses and reviews the referrals and decides if a STRAT investigation is required. • Organises, investigates and chairs the STRAT. • Manages and has oversight of individual cases • Provides advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations • Liaises with the police and other agencies • Monitors the progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with fairly, consistently and quickly. www.bromleysafeguarding.org

9. The Role of the LADO The LADO will have to consider whether the evidence suggests the need for: • A police investigation of a possible criminal offence • Enquiries and assessment by Children’s Social Care - whether a child is in need of protection or in need of services • Strategy meeting • Advise on disciplinary action of an accused person. www.bromleysafeguarding.org

10. Complex Strategy Meeting ( STRAT) A multi-agency meeting is convened: • There is enough information to suggest a child may have been harmed or a criminal offence may have been committed • To scope, gather, share information and plan and direct the investigation which could also end up as an internal management investigation. www.bromleysafeguarding.org

11. The Subject of the Allegation • The employer must first consult with the LADO before advising the subject that an allegation has been made. • The LADO will liaise with the police and children’s social care to establish when the subject of an allegation can be advised of the allegation and how much detail can be shared. • If the subject is a member of a union or professional association s/he should be advised to contact that body.

12. The Subject of the Allegation • The power to suspend is vested in the employer alone. • People should not be suspended without careful thought. • If the subject is suspended then the employer must make arrangements to keep the individual informed of developments in the workplace. • The employer has a duty of care and must offer the subject appropriate support while the case is ongoing.

13. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks • A police investigation will show on any subsequent DBS checks carried out on the person. • If the investigation did not result in the person being cautioned or convicted the investigation will show only when an enhanced DBS check is carried out. www.bromleysafeguarding.org

14. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Referral • Following a substantiated investigation and the employer dismisses the person, a discussion with the LADO should occur to decide whether a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service is required within one month. • A referral must always be made if the employer believes the individual has harmed or poses a risk of harm to children or vulnerable adults. www.bromleysafeguarding.org

15. Preventing Allegations Polices and Procedures • Child Protection • Safeguarding systems and processes(children and adults) • Allegation Management • Physical Intervention/Intimate Care • Safer working Practices/Codes of Conduct • Training, information sharing and supervision www.bromleysafeguarding.org

16. Preventing Allegations Training • Induction and Rolling programme/update • Safeguarding – Policies and procedures • Use of force to restrain • De-escalation techniques • Behaviour Management • Working with challenging behaviour /lone working www.bromleysafeguarding.org

17. Allegations in Bromley April 2015 - March 2016 There were 193 referrals relating to allegations against people who work with children: • 83 of these were allegations against education staff. • 22 related to secondary school staff • 47 related to primary school staff • 1 related to Independent School staff • 10 related to staff in a Special School • 3 from a college www.bromleysafeguarding.org

18. Allegations in Bromley April 2015 - March 2016 • 19 were against Foster Carers • 25 related to staff in Nurseries/Playgroup • 2 from child minders • 26 were against staff from Health • 8 were against Social Care staff • 0 against staff working for a Voluntary Organisation • 6 were against uniformed organisations • 4 were from a secure/residential unit • 15 were against others www.bromleysafeguarding.org

19. Allegations in Bromley April 2015 - March 2016 Category of Abuse/Concern • Physical 105 • Sexual 24 • Emotional 19 • Inappropriate Behaviour27 • Neglect 18 www.bromleysafeguarding.org

20. Summary • All staff should be clear on roles including Board of Governors and trustees. • All first line managers must have training in managing allegations • Follow mandatory guidance • Do not investigate prior to referral • Notify LADO and Designated Lead • Is there an immediate need to contact Social Services or seek medical advise • Inform OFSTEAD • Respond fully to the process • Share learning to improve frontline practice www.bromleysafeguarding.org

21. Allegations in Bromley All allegations that meet the criteria must be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). In Bromley there is a lead LADO and in the absence of the lead LADO, a member of the Quality Improvement team will step in to address an urgent matter. The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is: MrsRita Dada – 0208 461 7669 Email: Rita.Dada@bromley.gov.uk or lado@bromley.gov.uk Secure Email: lado@bromley.gcsx.gov.uk