Local Authority Designated Officer/Operations Manager (LADO)

Job Description

Have you got expertise to influence practice and strengthen partnership working? Then why not join ESCC 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.

To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.

For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page  and our statement on the use of AI.

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

Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.

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 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.

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 – [email removed] 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!

About us

Additional Information
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.
If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.