Annual Report

Managing Allegations

Against Staff

2014-15

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1.0 Introduction 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the management of allegations

against staff and the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) in Newcastle

for the period 1st April 2014 until 31st March 2015.

1.2 Data is provided in this report to provide an overview of the work of the LADO including

timescales and outcomes of cases when allegations are made. The data and

information in this report will highlight any trends or gaps and evidence will be provided

to show how these issues are being addressed by the LADO. This report includes

performance information and identifies areas for future development.

1.4 Case studies are provided to support the data in this report, which demonstrates the

effective use of allegations procedures are appropriate and good working relationships

with other organisations. Case studies include concerns around a Teacher, a Therapist

/ Counsellor and school transport driver.

2.0 The Role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) 2.1 Newcastle has a full time dedicated post to carry out the duties of the LADO. The

LADO in Newcastle is Melanie Scott. The role of the LADO is to provide management

and overview of cases where there are allegations against staff who work with children

from all agencies. The LADO ensures that advice and information is given to Senior

Managers within organisations and monitors the progress and timescales of these

cases. The LADO ensures that there is a consistent approach to the application of

policy and procedures, when managing allegations, and maintains a secure information

database for all allegations. As part of the monitoring and reporting function of the role,

the LADO produces a qualitative and quantitative annual report for the NSCB on an

annual basis.

2.2 Working Together 2015 states:

“Local Authorities should ensure that allegations against people who work with children are

not dealt with in isolation. Any action necessary to address corresponding welfare concerns in

relation to the child or children involved should be taken without delay and in a coordinated

manner. Local Authorities should in addition, have designated a particular officer or team of

officers, to be involved in the management and oversight of allegations against people that work

with children. Any such officer or team of officers, should be sufficiently qualified and

experienced to be able to fulfil the role effectively, for example qualified social workers”

WT 2015, para 4, page 54

2.3 The data reported in section 3, in the main, includes figures relating to LADO referrals

received in the latest statistical year 2014/2015 (1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015).

Where appropriate figures are also provided for the 4 previous statistical years

2010/2011 to 2014/2015 for comparative purposes.

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3.0 DATA RELATING TO LADO REFERRALS

Referrals to the LADO

3.1 Charts 1a and 1b (above) provide data for the actual number of referrals received by the

LADO in the 4 year period 1st April 2011 to 31st March 2015, the charts include a

monthly and quarterly breakdown of actual numbers received throughout the 4 years.

3.2 The charts show in the latest statistical year 2014/15, between 1st April 2014 and 31st

March 2015, a total of 80 referrals were received by the LADO, a reduction of 20 from

100 in actual numbers from the same period in the previous year 2013/2014.

3.3 Chart 1a shows, as in previous years the individual number of referrals received each

month fluctuated. Individual monthly figures in 2014/15 ranged from a low of 3 in

September, to a high of 9 in July, December and January. Figures in 2013/14 were in

general slightly higher each month, with highs and lows ranging between 5 and 11. The

average number of referrals received per month was 7 in 2014/15 compared with 8 in

2013/2014.

3.4 Chart 1b shows the numbers of referrals received in the 4 year period aggregated over

quarters. On average 20 referrals were received in each quarter of 2014/15, a reduction

from 25 on average per quarter in the previous year 2013/14. Each quarter in 2014/15

saw a lower number of referrals received than the same quarter in the previous year. In

2014/15 the highest number of referrals were received in the Jan-Mar quarter, 23 in total.

Over the last 2 years the number of referrals received in the Jul-Sep quarter has reduced

each year, chart 1a shows that the individual months of August and September had

particularly low referral rates in the latest year 2014/15.

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Who made the referral to the LADO - Source of referrals (organisation type)

3.5 Chart 2a (above) shows the percentage of referrals that were received from which

organisation source type. The individual referring organisations have been grouped

under the 4 most common sources categories of Local Authority, Education, Health and

Other. More specific information about individual referring agencies/organisations is

provided in Chart 2b (below).

3.6 Chart 2a shows that referrals from a source categorised as local authority continue to

account for the largest proportion of any group, accounting for 46% of all referrals

received in the latest year 2014/15. While referrals from this source continue to account

for the largest proportion, the actual proportion of referrals they account for has

gradually reduced year on year from a high of 59% in 2012/13 to 46% in 2014/15.

3.7 Oppositely the proportion of referrals that have been received from an Education source

have continued to increase, and in the latest year 2014/15 accounted for 16% of all

referrals received by the LADO an increase from 6% in 2012/13 and 11% in the latest

year 2013/14.

3.8 Referrals that have been received from a source outside the 3 traditional source groups

mentioned so far and so fall into the “Other” category continue to account for the second

largest proportion of referrals received and have done so for the past 3 years. 36% of

referrals received in the latest year were from this category, the same proportion as the

previous year 2013/14. In each of the years the single largest proportion of referrals

received in this category were from the Police, in the 2014/15 over half, 15 out of the 29

referrals received in this category, were from the police.

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Case Study One – Allegations Against a Secondary School Teacher Background to referral The LADO received a referral from a Team Manager in the Initial Response Service as they

had received a child concern notification from Northumbria Police for a child who had

alleged he was walking by a classroom and went inside, the Teacher told him to get out.

The young person alleged the Teacher grabbed him by the chest area. The young person

was then on the bus going home and showed his friend red marks on his chest. One of his

friends said he witnessed what the Teacher did. The young person told his parents when

he got home and they contacted the Police.

The young person was taken for a medical examination.

LADO intervention The LADO contacted Northumbria Police who confirmed they were called to investigate an

allegation against a Teacher and the young person had been interviewed. The LADO

contacted the Head Teacher of the School and discussed the allegation, there had been no

previous concerns about the Teacher and it was confirmed that there is always a Teaching

Assistant in the class.

Checks were completed with no trace of previous incidents.

Initial Evaluation Meeting In attendance LADO, Head Teacher, Human Resources, IRS Manager and Northumbria

Police. The recommendations from the meeting were; the police to speak to the other

students and Teaching Assistant who were in the class when the alleged incident occurred.

The Teacher would be supported by his Union and would not be teaching in class while the

investigation was ongoing. The young person was to be supported by his parents and the

Initial Response Service.

Outcome Police concluded their investigation. The witnesses in the class gave a different account of

what happened and this was; the Teacher did not grab the pupil in the chest area but

guided him out of the classroom as he should not have been there. The medical

examination of the young person concluded that the red marks on his chest were flea bites

and he had been scratching them. No further police action was taken and no further role

from IRS on completion of their Initial Assessment.

The LADO sent a letter to the Head Teacher with outcome of the investigation. The teacher

returned to the classroom and supported by the school.

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Who made the referral to the LADO - Source of referrals (specific breakdown)

3.9 Chart 2b (above) shows the actual number of referrals received in each of the last 4

years from the individual agencies/organisations that were grouped to provide the

proportions in chart 2a. The category groups are shown below the individual

agencies/organisations on the chart. The chart shows that referrals continue to be

received from a wide range of organisations and agencies including those provided by

the local authority and partner agencies but also those in the private and voluntary

sector.

3.10 As discussed earlier in the report the largest numbers of referrals in each of the years,

including the latest year 2014/15 were received from Newcastle City Council Wellbeing,

Care and Learning (WCL) Directorate - Children’s Social Care (which includes area

teams, Fostering and Adoption teams and children’s residential staff). In 2014/15 the

number of referrals received from this group was 21, a slight reduction from 27 in the

previous year. A further 4 referrals were received from other departments within

Wellbeing, Care and Learning Directorate including Commissioning Team, Complaints

Service and the Education SENTAS service. 1 referral was received from a directorate

outside of WCL, from Your Homes Newcastle (YHN).

3.11 The LADO continues to have good links with other local authorities regionally, receiving

11 referrals from other local authorities in the latest year including 2 from Gateshead, 4

from North Tyneside 1 from Northumberland, 1 from Sunderland, 1 from Durham and 2

from South Tyneside.

3.12 Referrals from a health source continue to be low, with only one referral being received

from a health source in the latest year 2014/15, this originated from a service within

Newcastle Tyne and Wear NHS Trust.

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3.13 While overall the number of referrals received by the LADO have decreased in 2014/15,

the number which were received form an education source increased slightly. In total 13

were received from an education source, 9 of which were received from a range of

schools and further education establishments and 4 from either a nursery or early years

setting.

3.14 The police continue to account for the largest number of referrals from a source

categorised as ‘Other’. 15 referrals were received from the police in the latest year

2014/15, all from Northumbria Police Service. 4 referrals were received direct from

Ofsted an increase from 2 in the previous year.

Who were alleged perpetrators allegations were made in relation to (Staff group type)

3.1.15 Chart 3 (above) shows a breakdown of referrals received in relation to allegations

against specific staff groups in the last four years.

3.1.16 The number of referrals relating to Social Work Staff reduced to 0 in the latest year

having previously accounted for 2 to 3 referrals in each of the previous years. 9 referrals

were made in relation to Childrens Residential Unit staff in the latest year 2014/15, an

increase from 5 in the previous year. All 9 referrals were in relation to staff in

independent provisions, not owned by Newcastle City Council.

3.1.17 The LADO has continued to develop strong links to the Fostering Service with 13

referrals received in the latest year relating to foster carers. Meaning allegations relating

to foster carers accounted for 17% of all allegations in the latest year. The allegations

were received from both Newcastle Fostering Service and independent providers, and

related to both internal Newcastle City Council and agency foster carers.

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3.1.17 Whilst only 1 referral to the LADO was received direct from a health service, in total 9

referrals were received in relation to staff who worked in the health sector, a slight

reduction from 12 in the previous year. The remaining 8 referrals that were in relation to

health staff were received from a variety of sources including 4 made via LADO’s from

other local authorities, 2 from the police as part of an investigation and 2 from the Initial

Response Service.

3.1.18 The largest single number of referrals in the latest year 2014/15 were made in relation

staff who work in an education setting. 22 referrals were received in the latest year

relating to this group, a slight reduction from 26 in the previous year. The majority, 17

related to staff working a in range of primary and secondary schools with 5 from further

education establishments. Both teaching and non-teaching staff were included in the

allegations. .

3.1.19 18 referrals were received for individuals whose staff group was categorised as other.

Individuals who fell under this category had a range of different professional

backgrounds for example some from religious organisations including a church and a

mosque, taxi companies, entertainment companies.

Case Study Two – Allegation Against School Transport Driver

Background to referral

The LADO received a call from a school to report concerns around a vulnerable girl who had

disclosed to other pupils that she had sexual contact with the driver who takes her home from

school. School reported the concerns to the pupil’s social worker and the Police were called.

The driver was arrested outside of the school.

LADO intervention

Checks were completed on the Driver with no trace identified. The LADO contacted the

Driver’s employer from another Local Authority and the driver was suspended immediately.

The LADO contacted Local Authority Licensing and children’s social care in another Local

Authority to safeguard the drivers own children.

The Initial Evaluation Meeting

In Attendance LADO, Northumbria Police, Social Worker for the pupil, Licensing from another

Local Authority, Social Worker from another Local Authority as the Driver had children,

Managing Director of taxi firm, School Transport and Head Teacher of the School.

Recommendations from the meeting were for the dismissal of the Driver immediately, Police

to continue their investigation, the driver’s license was suspended until the outcome of police

investigation, the driver’s children to be assessed for any risk, pupil receiving appropriate

support, driver to be referred to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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Outcome

Following the outcome of the Police investigation the driver was charged with sexual

grooming and having indecent images of a child. He was convicted and registered as a sex

offender. His taxi license was also revoked.

Reason for referral – Main cause for concern

3.1.20 Chart 4 (above) provides data for the main cause for concern relating to the case which

led to the referral. The majority of referrals in each year were received under the first

two categories and this has continued in the latest year. In 2014/15 in 62 cases (78%)

of referrals were received under the first two categories of Behaved in a way that has /

may have harmed a child or Behaviour indicated should not work with children, this is a

slight reduction from 83% in the previous year 2013/14.

3.1.21 Individually in the latest year 2014/15 the single largest number of referrals were

received for cases where it was alleged that the perpetrators had behaved in a way that

has / may have harmed a child, 37 referrals were received for this category meaning

they accounted for just under half or 46% of referrals received in the year. This is a

change from the last 2 years when typically the largest number of referrals have been

received for the category of Behaviour indicated should not work with children.

3.1.22 Chart 4a (below) provides the alleged category of abuse for the 37 cases referred for

behaved in a way that has / may have harmed a child. The largest proportion 70% (26)

of the cases were referred because of an allegation relating to actual or possible

physical abuse, while allegations relating to actual or possible sexual abuse accounted

for the second largest proportion 16% (6).

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3.1.23 There were 11 cases where the main cause for concern related to more than one of the

categories. A breakdown of the 11 shows that in 4 cases concerns related to a

perpetrator having Behaved in a way that has/may have harmed a child AND committed

a criminal offence, in 1 case Behaved in a way that has/may have harmed a child AND

behaviour indicates should not work with children, 5 cases where the alleged

perpetrator had Committed a criminal offence AND behaviour indicated should not work

with children. In the 1 final case all three categories were identified as being the main

cause for concern.

3.1.24 In 6 cases in 2014/15 the main cause for concern was committed a criminal offence

only, 1 less than the previous year. However with the cases mentioned in paragraph

3.1.23 where more than one cause for concern was identified the committing of a

criminal offence actually was a factor in 15 cases in total. 1 case had a category

recorded of “Other / not stated” this was because there was specific concerns about an

individual but was a referral to the LADO to provide some advice and training to an

organisation following a referral from the NSCB.

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Timescales for cases to be resolved

3.1.25 Chart 5 (above) provides information in relation to the timescales for resolving cases,

over the previous 4 years. In each of the last 4 years there were no cases which

took longer than 12 months to resolve. The proportion of cases resolved in under a

month has increased year on year from 58% in 2011/12 to 75% in the latest year

2014/15.

3.1.26 In the latest year 2014/15, a total of 53 cases were resolved, of which 75% (40) were

resolved in under a month. 13% (7) were resolved between 1 and 3 months a reduction

from 23%. 11% (6) cases took between 3 and 12 months to resolve in 2014/15, an

increase from 8% in the previous year. The cases which took longer periods to resolve,

were typically due to the complexity of the case, or having to wait for a formal outcome

for example a criminal conviction through the courts or outcome of disciplinary

proceedings.

Outcomes for cases that were resolved in the year

3.1.27 Chart 6 (above) provides data in relation to the outcome of the referrals closed in the

latest 3 years since 2012/13 up to the latest year 2014/15. A single referral may have

more than one outcome, for example a case may result in both a referral to the

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) previously known as Independent Safeguarding

Authority (ISA) and criminal proceedings being initiated, therefore the number of

outcomes reflected in chart 6 will be greater than the number of cases resolved in the

period.

3.1.28 In the latest year 2014/15 a total of 53 cases were resolved. Chart 6 shows following

investigation the single largest number, 32 resulted in no further action on the part of the

LADO or others involved. A number of cases resulted in no further action, however in

these cases there was a significant amount of work undertaken before coming to this

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outcome. An initial referral may result in further fact finding and the gathering of

information to determine if the allegations procedure criteria is met. The criteria for the

procedure is; has someone who works with children harmed or may have harmed a

child, committed a crime against a child or their behaviour indicates they are unsuitable

to work with children. Secure record checks and police checks are completed at which

point there will be a decision of no further action, internal investigation/ procedures or

the allegations procedures. The LADO will hold Joint Evaluation Meetings with the

relevant professionals i.e. Employers, Police and any other relevant senior professional

involved in the case. The meetings will involve looking at the allegation, employment

history, police information, any previous concerns, risk assessment and any further

action. This may still lead to a no further action outcome.

3.1.29 3 cases closed in the year resulted in criminal proceedings being initiated, 1 of which

resulted in a conviction and a referral of the perpetrator to the Disclosure and Barring

Service. 4 cases closed with the outcome of the perpetrator being dismissed from their

employment and also at the same time were referred to the Disclosure and Barring

Service. 3 cases resulted in internal disciplinary proceedings being instigated against

members of staff. And in 5 cases it was identified that only training needed to be

provided to the member of staff.

Case Study Three – Police referral against a Counsellor/ Therapist Background to referral

The LADO received a referral from the Yorkshire Police to report a Counsellor / Therapist

working in Newcastle had been arrested for rape of a child under 16 and was in custody. He

would be bailed that day. The Therapist worked in several settings in Newcastle.

LADO Intervention

Secure record and care first checks completed with no trace. The LADO contacted both

employers of the therapist and the agency he used. All work was suspended immediately. The

LADO arranged a meeting.

Initial Evaluation Meeting

In attendance LADO, Yorkshire Police, Employment Agency Manager, Employer from

Voluntary Sector and Employer from a Hospital Trust. Recommendations from the meeting

were: Police investigation ongoing, employment terminated, referral to the Disclosure and

Barring Service, notification to registered body and an alert sent out to all NHS hospitals and

care homes.

Outcome

The Therapist was charged with 24 child sex offences and convicted at Crown Court. He was

sentenced to 20 years in prison.

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4.0 LADO Activities undertaken 2014/15

4.1 In addition to managing the cases received as referrals during the course of the year

(described in section 3 of this report), the LADO has also undertaken the following

activities to promote and raise awareness of the role within various groups and multi-

agency partner organisations.

4.2 The LADO has delivered an allegations briefing for the Voluntary Sector, which was an

area identified as having low referral rates in the last reporting period.

4.3 The LADO has met with the Principal and Head of the Bahr Academy which is

Newcastle’s only Independent Muslim School for girls. A briefing was given on the

allegations procedures and safeguarding.

4.4 Allegations Against Staff training has been delivered by the LADO and Safeguarding

Person employed by schools. The training was for Head Teachers and newly appointed

designated staff in Newcastle Schools this includes Independent Schools. The training

for education staff will continue as a rolling programme.

4.5 The LADO delivered an allegations session for the Local Authority Fostering Panel this

has enabled the Panel to understand the whole process before a case comes to the

panel.

4.6 The LADO has delivered two workshops for a number of foster carers. The aim of the

workshop was to raise awareness about allegations against foster carers and the

procedures. This work will be ongoing.

4.7 LADO and NSCB Training Coordinator have delivered Group C Multi Agency Training

for a number of professionals in senior roles with responsibility for safeguarding and

managing allegations within their organisations. The LADO and LSCB Training

Coordinator meet regularly to update the training this will continue as a rolling

programme.

4.8 The LADO has made links with different Faith Based Organisations and has delivered a

briefing with the Gateshead LADO to the regional network meeting to discuss the role of

the LADO and Allegations Against Staff.

4.9 The LADO has met with the new Safeguarding Officer for Newcastle United to look at

their Policy and Procedures and the role in allegations against staff. The relationship

with Newcastle United continues to be very productive.

4.10 The LADO continues to attend the regional LADO meeting which is held every three

months. The meetings provide cross border peer support, review of current legislation

and guidance.

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4.11 The LADO attended the second National LADO day held in London this was very

beneficial as the LADO role can be isolated. The conference enabled the LADO to

network and meet a number of national organisations i.e.; Department of Education,

updates from the Disclosure and Barring Service and networking with LADOs from

across the country and share good practice.

4.12 The LADO as an additional duty continues to contribute to the complex abuse process.

This duty involves chairing complex abuse meetings and in large scale operations

research victims and perpetrators, gathering information establishing links and

associations to identify risk and safeguard children. The LADO is currently involved

with three complex abuse cases.

4.13 As part of additional responsibilities the LADO assists the Police to view children’s

records for current and historical criminal cases. The Police attend the Children’s

Safeguarding Standards Unit and view paper/electronic records and through the Crown

Prosecution Service protocol, copies of information in the files are given to the police for

evidence in cases.

4.14 The LADO has also given briefings to other settings in this reporting year to several

Pastors of different Faith Organisations, Heaton Community Playgroup and Benwell

Youth Project.

5.0 Evidence of Impact

5.1 The relationship with Northumbria Police continues to work very well in particular with

the Child Abuse Investigation Unit. There has been a good working relationship

enabling cases to be resolved as quickly as possible. A Police Officer has been

identified to enable the work with Mosques to continue.

5.2 The allegations workshops for Foster Carers have worked well. The feedback from

Foster Carers demonstrates the procedures are being understood and are reassuring

for them. One Foster Carer following the training had an allegation made against them

and felt more educated on how the process works which reduced anxieties.

5.3 Chart 2b shows that referrals from private organisations had doubled this year. The

breakdown in those organisations includes Private Residential Units and Independent

Fostering Agencies. The LADO has briefed all the Residential Units in Newcastle on

the allegations procedures and has regular contact with both Local Authority and Private

Units. The rise in referrals shows that there is a good understanding of the procedures

and reporting incidents.

5.4 Chart 5 shows timescales for cases being resolved has improved further compared to

last year with 75% being resolved under a month compared to 69% last year. The

majority of these cases are resolved within days. The more complex cases may take

longer to resolve. 13% of cases were resolved in under 3 months which is a reduction

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compared to 23% last year. This demonstrates that cases are dealt with in a timely

manner and that the consistent use of the procedures does not allow cases to be

delayed for unnecessary periods of time. Those cases that take longer to resolve are

usually cases where there is a police investigation and electronic devices need to be

examined. Other cases that take longer to resolve may involve more than one alleged

perpetrator or more than one alleged victim.

6.0 LADO Future areas of activity and development

6.1 The LADO will continue to develop the work with mosques. Further work is needed with

Newcastle’s mosques to raise awareness. This work will be progressed as a Police

Officer has been identified to help with this work.

6.2 Workshops for Foster Carers to continue to raise awareness of allegations against staff

procedures, the role of the LADO and safer working practice. This will continue to be a

rolling programme with the Local Authority Fostering Service to ensure that new Foster

Carers are captured and existing Foster Carers kept up to date. Briefings have taken

place with an Independent Fostering Agency and will be progressed with other IFAs.

6.3 Training for education staff will continue to be delivered. This training ensures that

schools are updated on a regular basis on safeguarding and allegations issues.

6.5 The LADO will develop more awareness raising with the voluntary sector although a

session has already been delivered, given the size of the voluntary sector there needs

to be further sessions. This is reflected in the fact that there has not been an increase

in referrals from voluntary organisations/services.

6.6 The LADO will produce a leaflet for organisations with a summary of allegations

procedures and contact details to raise awareness amongst professionals including

those who may be subject to allegations themselves.

6.7 Further briefings for Health Professionals regarding the allegation procedures will take

place with the aim of increase notifications from this area. .