At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure child welfare by managing allegations against those in positions of trust.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on safeguarding children and supporting families.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence local safeguarding procedures.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in social work.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification, extensive experience with children, and strong multi-agency collaboration skills.
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
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
- Providing guidance, advice and training to professionals to manage allegations
- Producing an annual activity report for the Executive Group of the Local Safeguarding Partnerships
- Contributing to the development of local safeguarding procedures
- Undertaking 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 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
- Ability to produce reports to a high standard
- Experience working in a range of roles across Children and Young People
- Confidence in escalating issues of concerns as appropriate
- Experience of quality assurance including completing high quality audits
Why join us? Up to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in London employer: Brent Council
As a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), you will be part of a dedicated team committed to safeguarding children and ensuring the welfare of those in positions of trust. Our organisation offers a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development, with opportunities for training and advancement within the safeguarding sector. Located in the heart of the community, we provide a fulfilling environment where your expertise can make a real difference in the lives of children and families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the safeguarding field, attend relevant events, and connect with others on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of current legislation and best practices in safeguarding. We recommend practising common interview questions with a friend or mentor to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! When you get the chance to speak about your past roles, highlight specific examples where you’ve made a difference in safeguarding children. We love hearing about real-life impacts!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the LADO role. Use keywords from the job description to show we’re on the same page!
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t hold back on sharing your extensive post-qualifying experience. We want to see how you’ve tackled complex cases and worked with children and families in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups.
How to prepare for a job interview at Brent Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation, especially 'Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026'. Being able to discuss how this impacts your role as a LADO will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can apply it in practice.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've dealt with complex cases or multi-agency work. Highlighting your experience with Child Protection plans or court allocations will demonstrate your capability and confidence in handling challenging situations.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the local safeguarding procedures or the team dynamics. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.
✨Practice Your Reporting Skills
Since producing high-quality reports is part of the job, consider bringing a sample report (anonymised, of course) to discuss during the interview. This will give you a chance to showcase your writing skills and attention to detail, which are crucial for the LADO role.