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Report a concern about a member of the workforce

When there is a safeguarding allegation about you or anyone in an early years and childcare setting, including childminders, the correct procedure must be followed.

Reporting an allegation

Local Authority Designated Officers (LADOs) work in the Children's Workforce Allegations Team and manage the process for allegations against persons working or volunteering with children and young people. 

Further information about the role of the LADO is available on the ESCB website. 

The LADO should be contacted if you receive an allegation that a worker or volunteer has:

  • behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child;
  • possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child;
  • behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he or she may pose a risk of harm to children; or
  • behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children

Any referral relating to a person working with children should be made in writing to:

Email: lado@essex.gov.uk.

The referrer will receive a referral form for completion with instructions on how to submit it.  

Immediate out-of-hours referrals

To raise a concern about a member of the workforce outside of office hours and you require an immediate social care referral contact our Emergency Duty Team:

Telephone: 0345 606 1212

Email: eds@essex.gov.uk 

Reporting serious childcare incidents

You must also report any serious childcare incidents to Ofsted within 14 days. The day of the incident is the first of these 14 days.

Report a serious childcare incident - GOV.UK 

You must tell Ofsted about:

  • a child’s serious accident, injury or illness while being looked after
  • the death of a child while in your care
  • any significant event that may affect someone’s suitability to look after or be in regular contact with children
  • any allegations of serious harm and abuse by anyone living, working or looking after children on the premises
  • events that might affect the condition and safety of the premises or the quality of childcare offered, or lead to ongoing closures (such as a fire or flooding)
  • the disqualification of the registered provider, an employee or someone living on the childcare premises