Local Authority Designated Officer/Operations Manager - LADO (INTERNAL)

East Sussex County Council; Lewes; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

East Sussex County Council is seeking an experienced Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in Lewes to influence safeguarding practice and lead partnership work. You will manage allegations against adults working with children, provide expert advice, and ensure timely, statutory responses.

The role requires Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England, plus political awareness and strong presentation skills.

Qualifications

• Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Ability to translate local and national policy into practice.
• Political awareness and presentation skills.
• Management qualification NVQ Level 4 or a commitment to gain an equivalent qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational management of the safeguarding service and partnership work.
• Provide expert safeguarding advice and make decisions within statutory timelines.
• Collaborate with schools, care settings and partner organisations to strengthen practice.
• Ensure continuous improvement and resource management within the service.

Skills

Policy to practice

Political awareness

Presentation skills

Education

Social Work qualification

Registration with Social Work England

NVQ Level 4 or equivalent

Job description

Have you got expertise to influence practice and strengthen partnership working? Then why not join Countywide Service in a specialist safeguarding role where your decisions, advice and leadership have a direct impact on the safety and wellbeing of children.

As the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), you will play a vital role in keeping children safe by managing and overseeing allegations made against adults who work, care for or volunteer with children across East Sussex.

You will provide expert advice and make safeguarding decisions, ensuring concerns are responded to appropriately, consistently and within statutory timescales. Working closely with schools, care settings, ESCC services and other partner organisations, you will help strengthen safeguarding practice, resolve any inter-agency issues and promote the welfare of children and young people. You will also lead the operational management of the service, including performance, resources and continuous improvement, while contributing to wider partnership work with the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership and ensuring children, young people and families have a voice in the process.

The people we are looking for in this vital position will have:

• Social Work Qualification and Registration with Social Work England.
• Ability to translate local and national policy into practice.
• Political awareness and presentation skills.
• Management Qualification NVQ Level 4 or a commitment to gain an equivalent qualification.

Please download the Job Description & Person Specification for more information.

This is a fixed term contract for one year which can be extended.

We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community. We but particularly encourage those from group that are underrepresented in our current workforce: Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, those who are disabled, men and those who identify as LGBTQ+. We are working towards recruiting a workforce that reflects our community because we recognise the unique skills, experience and perspective that each individual brings.

Interviews will take place face to face within two weeks of the closing date at County Hall Lewes.

Turn expertise into real impact! Use your professional judgement to shape decisions that help protect children and strengthen safeguarding practice.

A workforce for the community, from the community

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

Please contact Jo Nash – [e-mail] if you have any questions about the role or wish to have an informal discussion.

“I was very aware that women of a certain age are often overlooked. Not here at East Sussex/ Here I am taken in as a person with skills and are respected for what you can do and not discriminated against because of your age.” Sarah, Administrative Support Assistant

For valuing my expertise/not seeing age as a barrier, choose East Sussex!