Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) - Children's Services

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council; Kingshurst; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive local authority is seeking a Local Authority Designated Officer to enhance the safeguarding of children and families. This role requires a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England and offers responsibilities in managing allegations against adults in positions of trust. Candidates must demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to work independently. Benefits include a supportive management team and opportunities for professional development along with a hybrid working approach.

Benefits

Professional guidance from experienced management

Access to training packages

Flexible working

Qualifications

• Significant post‑qualifying experience in children's safeguarding.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant childcare legislation, policy and best practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead allegations management and safeguarding processes.
• Ensure processes achieve the best outcomes for protecting children.
• Work autonomously and report data.
• Act as a member of the regional LADO network.

Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Strong decision-making ability in complex cases

Ability to work independently

Education

Degree (or equivalent) in social work

Registered with Social Work England

Job description

Role Overview

We would like you to join us as we work on our journey to implement the social care reforms, designed to improve the experience of the children, young people and families we work with. We have a vacancy for the role of a dedicated specialist Local Authority Designated Officer. This is a vital role, building on our commitment to children's safety and wellbeing. Reporting to the Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance, as Solihull's Local Authority Designated Officer you will provide high quality professional and practice advice to the Council and its partners and you will have the overall responsibility for the management of allegations of abuse against adults in a position of trust across the authority.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the allegations, management and safeguarding processes on behalf of the Local Authority and wider partnership.
• Ensure that effective processes are consistently followed to achieve the best outcomes in protecting children and young people.
• Work autonomously; analyse and report data; undertake a Quality Assurance role; communicate decisions and outcomes with key partners and employers.
• Act as a member of the regional LADO network and connect with other LADO officers across the West Midlands region.
• Coordinate with the Business Support Officer to ensure you can focus on your duties.

Key Qualifications

• Social Work England registered.
• Degree (or equivalent) in social work.
• Significant post‑qualifying experience in children's safeguarding.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant childcare legislation, policy and best practice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and confidently with a range of agencies and to challenge practice at all levels.
• Strong decision‑making ability in complex cases.

Benefits

• Professional guidance from an experienced and supportive management team.
• Opportunity to further develop your leadership skills.
• Access to a broad suite of high quality training packages through our Social Care Academy.
• Hybrid approach to flexible working.
• Competitive salaries and a generous benefits package focusing on staff wellbeing.

About Solihull Council

At Solihull Council, we pride ourselves on being a council that is small enough to care, but big enough to make a difference; continuing to be ambitious for our children. We are building a stronger Solihull for our children, families and workforce. Connecting Families is the name of Solihull Children's Services practice framework. At its core, Connecting Families demonstrates the beliefs, values and principles of restorative practice and gives us a consistent relationship‑based way of practicing to improve outcomes for children, young people, and their families. We believe that families, their connected networks are of primary importance and are the most important influence on improving outcomes for children. We believe that children and their family networks are experts in their own lives and that children and their family networks have strengths, on which they should be empowered to build and draw on through effective family decision making.

Equality and Diversity

Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Social Workers at Solihull Council are covered by the Fluency Duty, as outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers.