Independent Chair – Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)/Regulation 44 Visitor
| Posting date: | 18 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £47,181 to £52,413 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 12 October 2025 |
| Location: | Lincolnshire, East Midlands |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Lincolnshire County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
We currently have a vacancy for an experienced social worker to join the Quality and Standards Service as a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)/Regulation 44 Visitor. This is a full-time permanent position. This role forms part of the Quality & Standards Team and has one generic job description that also includes the role of Independent Reviewing Officer / Locality Child Protection Chair. Candidates are not required to carry out all of these functions at any given time.
The role of LADO/Regulation 44 visitor is a combined role that requires an ability to work creatively, flexibly and smartly, managing complex case loads and competing demands.
This is a countywide post, the work base will be agreed with the successful candidate.
In the role of LADO, you will be responsible for managing allegations against individuals who work or volunteer with children, including those who hold inherent authority due to the nature of their role and regular contact with children. You will liaise with employers to ensure children are safeguarded and will work with police, children's social care. employers and other involved professionals/regulatory bodies to assess risk. The LADO does not conduct investigations directly, but oversees and directs them to ensure thoroughness, timeliness and fairness and will challenge delay in case progress where necessary.
As Regulation 44 Visitor you will be conducting visits to our Local Authority residential children's homes in accordance with Regulation 44 of The Children's Home (England) Regulations 2015.
The role will involve producing timely comprehensive reports about each visit that provides an overview of the home and an opinion (with supporting evidence) as to whether children are effectively safeguarded, and the home is being managed in a way that promotes children's wellbeing. As the Regulation 44 visitor you will consider what’s working well, what are the worries and next steps as part of recommendations to the home.
What our staff say about us:
Since starting with LCC’s I noticed good elements of practice that are not necessarily in place with other organisations. The team is well managed and perceptive. I was guided through the tricky transition/ adjustment period at the start. Being the new person is always difficult but not with this team.
The service anticipated what was needed and provided a thorough induction plan, a roadmap helping me adjust to the all the different nuances. The day I started everything was at my fingertips, I didn’t have to wait to receive basic equipment (the tech is first class). Most importantly the key systems and processes work.
Service wide operational support is at hand, if you need advice or support. The systems in place for this team are amazing, if you think you need something its probably already there. Most discussions centre around relationships or a person’s experience. If you have any challenges the service is flexible, sensible and willing to help, promoting a honest and genuine environment. Everyone is warm and friendly promoting the best interests of children and young people.
About the Role
Candidates for all roles in the service are required to demonstrate that they can maintain a clear focus on the best interests of children, whilst working under pressure.
Candidates will receive the full role descriptions upon requesting an application.
It is essential that all candidates have a proven track record in working creatively to engage children and young people in decision making and can promote young people's voices.
About You
A SOCIAL WORK QUALIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THESE POSTS
You will have 5 years post qualifying experience working with children and families and ideally some supervisory experience. The office base is negotiable within the county. The necessary IT equipment and home working equipment is provided for the LADO/Regulation 44 role.
Our offer
We are offering a competitive salary of £47,181 - £52,413 along with an extensive benefits package; details of which can be found in rewards and benefits brochure and many areas for professional support and development.
For an informal discussion please contact Kim Murray on (+44) 01522 553526
Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.
All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.
On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.
We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.
Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
The role of LADO/Regulation 44 visitor is a combined role that requires an ability to work creatively, flexibly and smartly, managing complex case loads and competing demands.
This is a countywide post, the work base will be agreed with the successful candidate.
In the role of LADO, you will be responsible for managing allegations against individuals who work or volunteer with children, including those who hold inherent authority due to the nature of their role and regular contact with children. You will liaise with employers to ensure children are safeguarded and will work with police, children's social care. employers and other involved professionals/regulatory bodies to assess risk. The LADO does not conduct investigations directly, but oversees and directs them to ensure thoroughness, timeliness and fairness and will challenge delay in case progress where necessary.
As Regulation 44 Visitor you will be conducting visits to our Local Authority residential children's homes in accordance with Regulation 44 of The Children's Home (England) Regulations 2015.
The role will involve producing timely comprehensive reports about each visit that provides an overview of the home and an opinion (with supporting evidence) as to whether children are effectively safeguarded, and the home is being managed in a way that promotes children's wellbeing. As the Regulation 44 visitor you will consider what’s working well, what are the worries and next steps as part of recommendations to the home.
What our staff say about us:
Since starting with LCC’s I noticed good elements of practice that are not necessarily in place with other organisations. The team is well managed and perceptive. I was guided through the tricky transition/ adjustment period at the start. Being the new person is always difficult but not with this team.
The service anticipated what was needed and provided a thorough induction plan, a roadmap helping me adjust to the all the different nuances. The day I started everything was at my fingertips, I didn’t have to wait to receive basic equipment (the tech is first class). Most importantly the key systems and processes work.
Service wide operational support is at hand, if you need advice or support. The systems in place for this team are amazing, if you think you need something its probably already there. Most discussions centre around relationships or a person’s experience. If you have any challenges the service is flexible, sensible and willing to help, promoting a honest and genuine environment. Everyone is warm and friendly promoting the best interests of children and young people.
About the Role
Candidates for all roles in the service are required to demonstrate that they can maintain a clear focus on the best interests of children, whilst working under pressure.
Candidates will receive the full role descriptions upon requesting an application.
It is essential that all candidates have a proven track record in working creatively to engage children and young people in decision making and can promote young people's voices.
About You
A SOCIAL WORK QUALIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THESE POSTS
You will have 5 years post qualifying experience working with children and families and ideally some supervisory experience. The office base is negotiable within the county. The necessary IT equipment and home working equipment is provided for the LADO/Regulation 44 role.
Our offer
We are offering a competitive salary of £47,181 - £52,413 along with an extensive benefits package; details of which can be found in rewards and benefits brochure and many areas for professional support and development.
For an informal discussion please contact Kim Murray on (+44) 01522 553526
Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.
All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.
On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.
We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.
Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
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.