The Role

Can you provide high quality safeguarding advice and support in relation to allegations against staff and volunteers?

Can you foster great professional working relationships across the partnerships including schools, police, health and the voluntary sector?

Are you passionate about the role of the LADO in keeping children safe?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our Safeguarding Standards Service is looking to recruit a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to join our amazing team in Wandsworth and help play a central role in safeguarding children!

About the role

The role of the LADO officer is to manage and coordinate investigations into allegations against staff and volunteers who work with children The LADO provides advice, support and challenge to social care colleagues and multi-agency partners across Wandsworth. The LADO also line manages the Safeguarding in Education lead officer.  

This is a highly respected role in the partnership which police, education, early years, the voluntary sector and social care colleagues really value. 

This is an influential post within the quality assurance service (Safeguarding Standards) requiring a specific range of safeguarding knowledge and skills in relation to allegations, providing advice on complex issues that may be below the threshold for an investigation by the LADO as well as negotiation, influencing and auditing. A knowledge of the complex issues regarding non recent allegations would be useful.

You will have a good understanding of the role of performance data and be responsible for the provision of quarterly and annual LADO reports.

As part of Wandsworth Children’s Services, you would be joining at an exciting time as we are developing systemic social work practice and implementing the Hertfordshire Family Safeguarding model of working with families.

About you

You will be an experienced social worker who has a strong background in safeguarding children and significance experience as a LADO.

You will have a detailed knowledge of working with key partners but particularly with education and social care professionals. Some of your key skills will lie in analysis, risk management and developing great partnership relationships.

You will have extensive knowledge and experience of safeguarding children.

Contact details

For more information about the role, please contact the recruiting manager Ruth Lacey on email ruth.lacey@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk to arrange a telephone conversation.

Benefits

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance including a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays (pro rata). 

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities is also offered.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

• Closing date: 11:59pm on Sunday 6th December 2020
• Shortlisting date: Week commencing 7th December 2020
• Interview date: Week commencing 14th December 2020

Useful Information:

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment

Equality Statement

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

How to apply?

To be considered for interview your CV and supporting statement must highlight your knowledge, skills and experience listed in attached Job Profile located at the bottom of the advert.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils