Job summary
Do you have the experience, expertise and professional judgement to lead on complex safeguarding concerns and allegations involving those who work with children?
As Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), you will provide independent oversight, authoritative challenge and effective multi-agency coordination, keeping childrens welfare, wishes and feelings at the heart of decision-making. You will also shape and quality assure the LADO service, strengthen practice and turn learning into continuous improvement.
At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependent on the needs of the service.
This role includes an expectation to work from our Time Square office two days per week, alongside flexible working arrangements.
Main duties of the job
As a LADO you will be a SWE registered social worker with substantial management experience in childrens social care, child protection and multi-agency safeguarding.
You will have detailed, current knowledge of safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, together with experience of coordinating complex allegation-management processes, applying the harm threshold and providing independent advice and challenge.
As a LADO you will chair complex multi-agency meetings, assess risk, manage professional disagreement and secure timely outcomes.
Your strong analytical, communication and report-writing skills are essential, alongside resilience, sound judgement and the confidence to influence senior professionals. Experience of child protection conference chairing, multi-agency training, organisational safeguarding or safer recruitment would be an advantage.
About us
The LADO is based within the Quality Assurance service and works closely with Childrens Social Care, the police, employers, education, early years, health, Ofsted, the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and other safeguarding partners.
We are a small, experienced and supportive team that values professional independence, constructive challenge, strong partnership working and a clear focus on safeguarding children.
You will have the opportunity to influence practice across the local safeguarding system, advise senior leaders and help organisations understand and meet their responsibilities.
Please note: Children's services are currently progressing its Families First transformation programme. This role may be subject to changes to its responsibilities, reporting arrangements and/or job description. Any proposed changes would be managed in accordance with the Councils relevant consultation processes and policies.
Details
Date posted
12 October 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£63,860 to £66,139 a year
per year inclusive of London Weighting
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time,
Flexible working,
Home or remote working
Reference number
F0028-26-0026
Job locations
Time Square
Market Street
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG12 1JD
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the job description and person specification attached to this advert giving full details.
Job responsibilities
Please see the job description and person specification attached to this advert giving full details.
