Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Are you a confident, reflective safeguarding professional who values fair process, strong partnerships and thoughtful decision‑making? Do you want the time and space to do the LADO role well – with the support of peers who truly understand the complexity of this work?

We are delighted to invite applications for a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to join our established and supportive LADO service.

Our LADO function sits within a wider safeguarding and quality assurance service.

You will be part of a team of three full‑time equivalent LADOs, working collaboratively to ensure consistent, proportionate and timely responses to concerns and allegations about adults in positions of trust. The team is well‑regarded by partners and offers a strong peer network for reflection, consultation and shared learning.

We actively support flexible working, recognising the importance of balance and sustainability in a role that carries professional and emotional weight.  We offer, regular supervision, reflective space and professional support; opportunities to influence safeguarding practice across the partnership and a role where quality, proportionality and professional judgement are truly valued.

As a LADO, you will hold a central leadership role within the safeguarding partnership, ensuring that allegations and concerns about adults who work with children are managed in line with statutory guidance and local procedures.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Acting as the single point of contact for concerns and allegations about adults in positions of trust
• Providing clear, timely and proportionate advice to employers and partner agencies
• Coordinating and chairing multi‑agency allegation management meetings as required
• Ensuring that safeguarding processes are robust, fair and child‑centred
• Liaising closely with police, children’s social care, health, education and regulatory bodies
• Supporting appropriate information‑sharing and decision‑making in complex cases
• Maintaining accurate records and contributing to service data and reporting
• Identifying themes, learning and development needs across the partnership
• Contributing to continuous improvement of LADO practice and procedures
• Working collaboratively within the LADO team to ensure consistency and resilience

We are looking for an experienced, social work qualified professional who brings sound judgement, curiosity and confidence to complex safeguarding work. You will be comfortable offering challenge where needed, while maintaining respectful and constructive relationships with senior leaders, employers and partners.

You will bring substantial post-qualifying experience in children’s safeguarding, alongside a strong working knowledge of statutory guidance, legislation and best practice. You will be confident in analysing complex information and making clear, defensible decisions, and have experience of chairing or contributing to multi-agency safeguarding forums. You will communicate calmly, clearly and professionally, even in highly sensitive situations, and value reflective practice, collaboration and continuous learning as essential to high-quality safeguarding work.

If you are passionate about safeguarding, value thoughtful practice, and are looking to join a service that understands and supports the LADO role, we would love to hear from you.  Please note that Prevent is no longer part of the duties for this post. 

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact  Ildiko Kiss. Service Manager on ildiko.kiss@sheffield.gov.uk or by telephone 07880251947.

Interviews are anticipated to take place on 24 and/or 25 March 2026

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under‑represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly. It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form.

Full‑time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities including hybrid working, reduced hours, part‑time and job‑share options. Regular time in the office in Sheffield will be required.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our New job evaluation process to be introduced at Sheffield City Council | Sheffield City Council