An allegation might involve a staff member or volunteer who has:
- Harmed a child or put a child at risk
- Committed a criminal offence against a child
- Inappropriate relationship with a child
- Behaved in a way that indicates they are unsuitable to work with children (this includes behaviours outside of work, often referred to as transferable risks).
Transferable risks from personal life
Sometimes, concerns arise about the personal life of a staff member or volunteer that may pose risks to children they work with. Examples include:
- Domestic abuse incidents
- Criminal behaviour not directly related to work with children
- Concerns about mental health or substance misuse.
A low-level safeguarding concern
This is any behaviour by an adult working with children that doesn’t meet the threshold for a formal allegation but still raises questions about their conduct. This might include actions like being overly familiar with a child, using inappropriate language, or not following professional boundaries.
The LADO is available for consultation on these matters as it is important that these concerns are acknowledged and addressed early to prevent escalation and ensure the safety and well-being of children, while also supporting the adult to improve their practice.