Allegations Management Officer (LADO) - Grade 14

DESCRIPTION OF ROLE

To carry out the Council’s statutory responsibilities as specified in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 to oversee and ensure that allegations against people who work with children are managed and co-ordinated.

To develop, implement and manage the process for responding to allegations of abuse made against people who work with children within the Local Authority area and from all organisations who offer services to children.

To provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations about how to manage allegations against members of staff who work with children.

To ensure that timescales are met and cases resolved efficiently in accordance with the accepted investigation process (if applicable) and the indicative targets as outlined by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

To manage and develop processes for monitoring and evaluating current practice in respect of individual cases (past and present) and also collate performance information in order to identify trends or emerging patterns.

To work collaboratively with all partner agencies in promoting and developing good practice for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people.

To ensure the availability of training opportunities and to participate in multi-agency training as appropriate.

To undertake additional duties within Safeguarding & Professional Practice team as required.

Duties and responsibilities

Listed below are the responsibilities this role will be primarily responsible for:

Planning & Development:

• To contribute to the development of strategies on Child Protection across and with partner agencies.
• To develop local process and protocols in partnership with all partner agencies in respect of the escalation, appropriate investigation and resolution of allegations of abuse against people who work with children across the county.
• To assist partner agencies in identifying, supporting and developing effective skills base for nominated officers (NO) in partner agencies
• To develop links with appropriate HR professionals in respect of management of safe recruitment practice and the escalation of cases in accordance with HR policy and procedure.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies working with children, young people and vulnerable adults within the County.

Management of Allegation Cases:

• To work with nominated officers and safeguarding services to effectively manage allegations made against people who work with children across the County.
• To ensure that interventions in individual cases are consistent with policies and procedures and take corrective action where this is not the case.
• To ensure representation by the appropriate agencies and professionals at Strategy Meetings that relate to allegations against professionals.
• To work with partners to ensure appropriate action is taken in relation to matters where a crime has been committed.
• Work with managers and partner agencies, to ensure that disciplinary matters are fully investigated and managed.
• Work with employers, to ensure that referrals of individual cases to Disclosure and Barring Service and/or Regulatory Bodies (e.g. Social Work England, OFSTED, GMC) are made appropriately.
• To cascade outcomes of any criminal investigation and to advise on the range of options to consider to the employer.

Management of Communication & Information:

• To ensure that the child or adult concerned, their parents or carers receive regular information, updates and support in respect of the process applied and where appropriate the result of any enquiry or disciplinary process.
• To ensure that systems are in place to provide the alleged perpetrator with support and regular updates in respect of the case.
• To develop a register of nominated officers in partner agencies and create a support system for those carrying out this function across agencies.
• To ensure that appropriate recording systems are in place that provide clear audit trails about decision making and recommendations in all processes relating to the management of allegations against professionals.
• To ensure the control of information in respect of individual cases in accordance with accepted Data Protection and Confidentiality requirements.
• To provide regular advice and guidance to all partner agencies, as required
• To promote links with other local authority nominated officers to ensure sharing of best practice protocols for continual improvement.
• To promote the role of the Allegations Management Officer within the Council whilst also raising awareness of these issues across all partner agencies.
• To ensure the existence of a multi-agency network of communication to all partner agencies in respect of process developments and updates.

Quality and Performance:

• In conjunction with the Council and their constituent agencies to develop and implement performance management systems to enable ongoing monitoring of active and closed cases across all partner agencies.
• To ensure the Council and their members are able to access timely and accurate performance data, including the achievement of outcomes that inform practice and service development.
• To set, monitor and evaluate standards across the County so as to ensure that targets and outcomes are met effectively.
• To ensure the development and implementation of quality assurance systems including regular audit of work.