Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

The role of a LADO is a specialist one which stands alone in the local authority. As an authoritative professional, it is a role that may involve challenging senior managers and may require the LADO to use statutory powers to escalate to senior management within and outside the local authority.

The LADO is a key leadership role within the Practice Improvement and Development Service, and LADOs are expected to demonstrate and provide leadership across the entire Children’s Services Department and externally to the wider multi agency partnership. LADOs should be an authoritative professional with at least equivalent status to an experienced children’s social work team manager as stated in Statutory Guidance (IRO handbook).