Allegations of Abuse
Allegations of abuse involving workers are uncommon, but they must always be taken seriously and addressed without delay.
If the worker in question has any contact with children, additional reporting procedures will apply. The procedures differ slightly depending on where you are working.
Reporting procedures
A report should be made to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) / Designated Officer for Allegations (DOFA). This is the senior social worker responsible for managing and overseeing concerns, allegations and offences relating to staff and volunteers working with children in a Position of Trust in any organisation across a local authority area. Some local authorities have a role known as a ‘PIPOT’ (Persons in a Position of Trust) that covers both those working with children and adults at risk of harm.
The relevant Health and Social Care Trust Gateway Service should be informed of allegations about those working with children or adults at risk. These trusts have the principal responsibility for protecting against harm (alongside Police Service Northern Ireland when a crime is alleged or suspected). Adult Social Work Services and Gateway Teams sit within the local HSC Trusts.
Local authority child and adult protection teams should be informed of allegations about those working with children or adults at risk. The regional Child Protection Team is the team within each council who can offer help and guidance if you’re worried about a child. Alongside the child’s Named Person and the Social Work Duty Team, they can provide a ‘front door’ to services. Concerns about adults should be made to the Adult Support and Protection committee in your local authority.
The local Designated Officer for Safeguarding needs to be informed as soon as possible of allegations and concerns about any person who works with children or adults at risk in their area. There is some variation across locations, but sometimes this role is held by a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or Designated Officer for Allegations (DOFA). Those in these roles are responsible for managing and overseeing concerns, allegations and offences relating to staff and volunteers in any organisation across a local authority area. In Wales this is for Children and Adults.
If an organisation removes someone from regulated activity or a regulated role with children or adults at risk—whether they are dismissed or would have been dismissed if they hadn't resigned—because they pose a risk of harm, a referral must be made to the appropriate barring authority.
For work in England, Northern Ireland, or Wales, refer to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
For work in Scotland, refer to Disclosure Scotland.
This referral is required even if a report has already been made to social care or other statutory services. The threshold for being added to a barred list is lower than that of a criminal court, as decisions are made on the balance of probabilities, not beyond reasonable doubt. Therefore, do not withhold a referral simply because you believe there isn’t enough evidence. Failing to make a referral without good reason is a criminal offence.
If the worker doesn’t have a role that involves direct work with children and/or adults at risk of harm, you will still need to:
- Ensure there are clear policies in place setting out the process, including timescales for investigation and what support and advice will be available to individuals against whom allegations have been made.
- Pass any allegation immediately to the safeguarding lead. If you are also part of a larger organisation or denomination, their safeguarding lead or team will also need to be informed.
- In addition, your organisation’s insurance company will also need to know.
See also Report
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Page last updated: 14 November 2025