About Us
At North Somerset Council, we are committed to creating a fair, green, and inclusive environment for all. We work collaboratively to deliver high-quality services that make a real difference in our community. Join us to help shape a brighter, safer future for the children of North Somerset.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced and passionate Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to play a key role in our Quality Assurance and Safeguarding Team. This is a permanent, full-time role offering the chance to lead on managing allegations related to individuals working with children across North Somerset.
In this role, you’ll provide advice, oversee case management, and ensure swift, consistent resolution to allegations. You will also drive service improvements by building relationships with partner agencies, delivering training, and ensuring robust safeguarding processes are in place.
This role has been strengthened to include support from a newly created Co-ordinator position, providing enhanced capacity to meet the safeguarding needs of the community.
As a LADO, you will contribute to embedding restorative practices within the Local Authority—promoting a child-centred approach that combines high challenge and high support in a compassionate manner.
Key Responsibilities:
The LADO is a statutory role and is responsible for:
Providing advice, information and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations around allegations and concerns regarding paid and unpaid workers.
Managing and overseeing individual cases from all partner agencies.
Ensuring the child’s voice is heard and that they are safeguarded.
Ensuring there is a consistent, fair and thorough process for all adults working with children and young people against whom an allegation is made.
Monitoring the progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible
Referring matters to Children’s Services or the Police and chairing the strategy meeting in cases where the allegation requires investigation by Police and/or Social Care.
This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.
About You
We are looking for an individual who is passionate about the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and committed to delivering best practice. You will have strong experience in social work, particularly within children’s services, and be confident leading multi-agency meetings.
Essential Criteria:
Qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England
Extensive post-qualification experience in Children’s services, including managing safeguarding cases.
Experience chairing complex multi-agency meetings and handling allegations involving adults who pose risks to children.
Proven track record in service development and embedding continuous improvements.
Ability to lead and inspire others in delivering high-quality safeguarding services.
Desirable Criteria:
Experience of working with children at risk would be desirable.
What We Offer
At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.
We offer:
Competitive salary and benefits
Flexible working arrangements
Opportunities for professional development
Staff groups
Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
Dedicated Wellbeing Team
Salary sacrifice cycle to work and Electric vehicle schemes
Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet
How to Apply
If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.
Contact Information:
For further information about the role, please contact Sue Gambier, Team Manager, at susan.gambier@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07385 039416.
Important Information
Interview Date: To be confirmed.
We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.
Equal Opportunities
At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to
Disability Confident.