At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure child protection allegations are managed effectively and provide guidance to professionals.
- Company: Join Brent Council, a vibrant and diverse London borough committed to community transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 33 days annual leave, excellent pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values diversity and promotes the welfare of children.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in safeguarding children while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification, extensive experience with children, and knowledge of safeguarding legislation.
The predicted salary is between 61653 - 65181 € per year.
Salary range: £61,653 - £65,181 p.a. inc. London weighting
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Civic centre and other locations from time to time
An exciting permanent opportunity has arisen in the Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Service (SQA) for the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). The SQA service has a specific remit to provide scrutiny and challenge to the plans for children who are subject to children protection plans or are looked after and includes the LADO.
The Role
The LADO ensures that allegations against people who work with children, in positions of trust, are co-ordinated and that corresponding welfare concerns, in relation to children involved, are being dealt with without delay. The LADO role also includes providing guidance and consultation to employers/voluntary organisations, liaising with partner agencies and monitoring the swift and fair progression of cases according to statutory requirements. The role further involves:
- The Local Authority’s statutory compliance with managing allegations
- To provide guidance, advice and training to professionals to manage allegations
- To produce an annual activity report for the Executive Group of the Local Safeguarding Partnerships
- To contribute to the development of local safeguarding procedures
- To undertake other duties within the Safeguarding and Quality Service, such as chairing Child Protection conferences as and when the need arises
The Person
You will have:
- A Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England
- Extensive post-qualifying experience including statutory work with children and their families as either Practice Consultant or Team Manager
- A working knowledge of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 and all other relevant legislation, policies, procedures and guidance relevant to safeguarding and the role of the LADO
- Experience of dealing with complex and challenging allocations, including those with Child Protection plans, LAC status or court allocations
- Experience of multi-agency working and driving good practice
- An ability to produce reports to a high standard
- Confidence in escalating issues of concerns as appropriate
- Experience of quality assurance including completing high quality audits
Why join us?
We know people achieve their best when they feel valued. At Brent, you’ll benefit from:
- Up to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays
- Excellent pension with generous employer contributions (LGPS)
- Hybrid and flexible working options available for most roles
- Supportive family-friendly policies for parents, guardians, and carers
- Health and wellbeing support, including access to eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Financial support such as education sessions, childcare deposit loans, and season ticket loans
- Travel perks including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme, and great onsite facilities
- Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career
- Access to My Brent Rewards with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, leisure, and entertainment
Closing date: 4 June 2026 (23:59)
Additional Information
If you are interested in applying for this job, please start by clicking the "Apply Now" button below. You must provide a supporting statement as part of your application that clearly shows how you meet the essential requirements on the Job description. We will accept a CV in support of your application, however, you should still provide a supporting statement.
Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourages applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage all applicants to self-identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section in the application.
We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.
Brent has a positive approach to flexible working.
As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including “non-visible” disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on recruitment@brent.gov.uk.
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) employer: Borough of Brent
Brent Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its staff, offering up to 33 days of annual leave, excellent pension contributions, and a range of health and wellbeing support. Located in the vibrant and diverse borough of Brent, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that values inclusivity and flexibility, alongside numerous learning and development opportunities to advance their careers in safeguarding and quality assurance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the safeguarding and social work sectors. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet people who might know about job openings or can give you insider tips.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Brent Council's values and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to their transformation agenda.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions related to safeguarding and child protection. We want to see your confidence in discussing complex cases and your approach to multi-agency collaboration.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you can easily track your application status there.
We think you need these skills to ace Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for safeguarding shine through! We want to see why you’re excited about the LADO role and how your experience aligns with our mission at Brent.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure your supporting statement is tailored to the job description. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the essential requirements. We love seeing how you connect your background to what we do!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our fantastic benefits there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Brent
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the key legislation and guidance relevant to safeguarding, especially 'Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026'. Being able to discuss these in detail will show your expertise and commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your experience with complex cases, multi-agency collaboration, and quality assurance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Understand Brent's Diversity
Research Brent's unique community and its diverse needs. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the council's transformation agenda and support the varied demographics of the borough.
✨Prepare Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could include inquiries about the council's approach to safeguarding or how they measure success in the LADO role. It shows your genuine interest and engagement.
