MASH update and referral procedure for concerns about someone in a Position of Trust

Safeguarding children and adults is a major priority for all agencies in Warwickshire. The issues and challenges it poses span far beyond the remit of any single organisation. 

In Warwickshire, the decision was taken to form a MASH which brings together practitioners from a range of backgrounds including Children and Adult Safeguarding Services, the Police, Health services and other partners involved in safeguarding, in order to respond to the challenges posed by safeguarding our most vulnerable residents. Warwickshire's MASH officially launched in June 2016.

In this article, John Coleman, MASH Service Manager provides an update on the referral process which should be followed relating to concerns about possible/suspected abuse by a person who works in a position of trust with children.

John explains: "These concerns should be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) using a new Position of Trust Multi-Agency Referral Form.

"The MASH in conjunction with the LADO, will share the information held by agencies and decide whether to offer advice or to convene a Position of Trust meeting.

"It is anticipated that this will support a more efficient means of determining the most appropriate way to address the concerns in a timely manner.  There is also one central contact telephone number and email address for the LADO which is 01926 742372 or email lado@warwickshire.gcsx.gov.uk."

LADO factfile

1. What is a LADO?
LADO stands for Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and the role was first introduced through the statutory guidance Working Together (2006) and strengthened in Working Together (2010).

2. What does the LADO do?
The guidance requires each Local Authority to identify a ‘Local Authority Designated Officer’ (LADO) with responsibility for the management and oversight of individual cases where there is concern in relation to a person who works in a position of trust with children – providing advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations, liaising with other agencies, and monitoring the progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent with a thorough and fair process.

The guidance should be followed in respect of any allegation that a person who works with children or young people has:

a) behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child;
b) possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a child; or
c) behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates that they may pose a risk of harm to children.

This is in connection with the person’s paid employment or voluntary activity but may also involve concerns arising about the person’s behaviour within their own family or home circumstances. In consideration of a concern or allegation, there may be three strands:

a) A Police investigation of a possible criminal offence;
b) Enquiries and assessment by Children’s Social Care about whether a child is in need of protection or in need  of services;
c) Consideration by an employer of disciplinary action in respect of the individual.

3. Why might I need to contact the LADO?
If you are an employer of people who work/volunteer in a position of trust with children e.g. nursery, bus driver, school, scouts, theatre group, you may need to speak to the LADO if you are concerned about the way in which a member of your staff is behaving towards a child.
Using the criteria outlined in 2, you should consider first whether your concerns are of this nature.

4. How do I refer concerns about someone in a Position of Trust to the LADO?
If you have immediate concerns that a child is at immediate risk of serious harm requiring immediate action, contact the MASH by calling 01926 414144. Follow up your concerns in writing to the MASH. 

If Named Senior Officers, Named Senior Managers within organisations and others have concerns regarding a person in a position of trust, they must complete the Position of Trust Multi-Agency Referral Form (POT MARF), which can be downloaded from the MASH website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/MASH  or from the Warwickshire Safeguarding Board Website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wscb. The completed referral should then be emailed to the LADO at their direct email address which is LADO@warwickshire.gcsx.gov.uk.

5. How do I get advice about a Position of Trust Issue from the LADO?
Named Senior Officers, Named Senior Managers within organisations and others who may want advice about a potential position of trust issue should call the LADO on 01926 742372 or email the LADO at LADO@warwickshire.gcsx.gov.uk. This inbox can be checked regularly by the LADO and acts as a central LADO advice and referral point.

6. What next?
The MASH team in conjunction with the LADO, will share the information held by agencies and decide whether to offer advice to you or to convene a Position of Trust (POT) meeting.
If a POT meeting is held you are likely to be invited to attend as the employer. Children’s Social Care usually attend as do the Police. The LADO will provide advice and guidance and will oversee any investigations that are undertaken. A plan may be devised to address the concerns and you may be asked to contribute to this. The Children’s Team will also need to consider how any concerns against individual children are managed.

Further information
For further information please contact the LADO or visit the Warwickshire Safeguarding Board Website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wscb or the MASH website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/MASH.

Alternatively contact:

Jenny Butlin-Moran, Service Manager – Service Development & Assurance (Children’s) jennybutlinmoran@warwickshire.gov.uk    or

John Coleman, MASH Service Manager johncoleman@warwickshire.gov.uk