Allegations Against Staff Policy
July 2026
LC Policy #11
This policy sets out the procedures for responding to allegations that a member of staff, volunteer, contractor, or any adult in a position of trust has harmed a child, may have harmed a child, or behaved in a way that indicates they may be unsuitable to work with children. Little Crumpets is committed to ensuring allegations are managed promptly, fairly, and in accordance with statutory guidance, including LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) procedures.
This policy ensures:
Children are protected from harm
Allegations against staff are handled consistently and lawfully
Staff understand their responsibilities
Concerns are escalated to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) without delay
Wraparound-care contexts (extended hours, lone working, mixed-age groups) are fully considered
This policy applies to:
Employees
Volunteers
Students on placement
Contractors
Agency staff
Any adult working in or on behalf of the setting
It covers allegations made by:
Children
Parents/carers
Staff
Members of the public
What Constitutes an Allegation
An allegation may relate to a person who 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 in a way that indicates they may be unsuitable to work with children
Behaved in a way that could pose a transferable risk to children (including outside work)
This includes behaviour online, outside working hours, or in personal life.
Legal and Statutory Framework
This policy is informed by:
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026)
Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025)
Local Safeguarding Partnership procedures
LADO statutory guidance
Ofsted expectations for out-of-school settings
Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR)
Roles and Responsibilities
A. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Leads all staff-related allegations
Contacts the LADO within one working day
Ensures staff are supported appropriately
Maintains secure records
B. Management / Registered Person
Ensures compliance with LADO procedures
Makes decisions about suspension (in consultation with LADO)
Ensures safe staffing during investigations
C. All Staff
Must report concerns immediately
Must not investigate
Must follow wraparound-specific procedures (lone working, extended hours)
Procedure for Handling Allegations
Step 1: Immediate Action
If a child is at immediate risk, staff must contact:
Police (999)
DSL or Deputy DSL
Children’s Social Care (Hounslow Children’s Services Front Door) - 0208 5836600 (option 2). Email childrensocialcare@hounslow.gov.uk. Out of hours emergency duty team number for social care 0208 583 2222
Step 2: Report Immediately
Any allegation against staff must be reported to the DSL without delay. If the allegation is about the DSL, report to the Registered Person or LADO directly.
SAAM - Safeguarding Advice and Allegations Management Duty Desk 0208 583 5730. Email. lado@hounslow.gov.uk.
LADO - Sarah Peltenghi 0208 5833423/07970198380 email: sarah.paltenghi@hounslow.gov.uk. (Mon, Tues, Weds)
LADO - Grace Murphy 0208 5834933. Grace.murphy@hounslow.gov.uk (Weds, Thurs, Fri)
Step 3: Do Not Investigate
Staff must not:
Interview the child
Speak to the accused staff member
Gather evidence
Discuss the allegation with others
Step 4: DSL Contacts LADO
The DSL must contact the LADO within one working day, providing:
Nature of allegation
Context (e.g., lone working, mixed-age supervision, handover time)
Initial safeguarding actions taken
Step 5: LADO Strategy
The LADO will determine whether:
A police investigation is required
Children’s Social Care should be involved
An internal investigation can proceed
The staff member should be suspended
Step 6: Suspension
Suspension is not automatic. It may be considered if:
A child is at risk
The allegation is serious
Staff presence may hinder investigation
Suspension decisions are made with LADO guidance.
Step 7: Support
The DSL ensures:
The child receives appropriate support
The accused staff member is offered welfare support
Staff are kept informed within confidentiality limits
Step 8: Record Keeping
All records must be:
Factual
Signed and dated
Stored securely
Retained according to statutory guidance
Wraparound-Specific Safeguarding Scenarios
A. Lone Working
Wraparound care often involves single-staff supervision. Any allegation arising during lone working must be:
Reported immediately
Reviewed by the DSL
Assessed for supervision risks
Considered in relation to the Lone Working Policy
B. Extended Hours (Before/After School)
If the DSL is off-site, staff must:
Contact the DSL by phone 07956 591742
Contact LADO directly if DSL is unreachable
Ensure children remain safely supervised
C. Mixed-Age Groups
Staff must be aware of:
Heightened risk of misinterpreted interactions
Increased supervision needs
Clear boundaries during physical play
D. Handover Times
Allegations often arise during drop-off/pick-up. Staff must:
Move to a quiet, safe space
Record the disclosure immediately
Inform the DSL
Maintain safe ratios
9. Outcome of Investigations
Possible outcomes:
Substantiated
Unsubstantiated
Unfounded
Malicious
False
The DSL will:
Update records
Inform relevant parties
Make DBS referrals if required
Review safeguarding practice
Confidentiality
Information is shared only with those who need to know. All parties must maintain confidentiality throughout the process.
Learning and Review
Following any allegation, the DSL and management will:
Review safeguarding practice
Update policies if needed
Adjust wraparound supervision arrangements
Training
All staff receive training on:
Recognising inappropriate behaviour
Reporting concerns
LADO procedures
Wraparound-specific risks (lone working, mixed ages, extended hours)
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if safeguarding legislation or guidance changes.