Skip to content

Record a low-level concern about an adult

Note worrying conduct that is not yet an allegation, and escalate or close it with a reason.

Checked against the screens:

Every organisation can choose its own words for the people and roles it works with. When you are signed in, this guide uses your organisation’s words. Otherwise it uses the product’s own.

For DSLs, senior staff and admins. It is for conduct that does not meet the LADO threshold. If it might, use a LADO referral. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 and phone your DSL directly.

Steps

  1. Open the register and press Record new low-level concern.
  2. Pick the adult under Adult subject, or add their details.
  3. Choose their relationship, such as employee or volunteer.
  4. Write the facts in Narrative: what happened, when, who was present.
  5. Add a Category if it helps, such as boundary or language.
  6. Press Record concern.
  7. Come back to the register to watch for patterns.
  8. Use Escalate to LADO or Close when you decide.

If it goes wrong

  • If one adult appears again and again, that is a pattern. Escalate it rather than keeping it as small notes.
  • Closing needs a Closure reason. Write why, then press Confirm.
  • If you cannot open the page, it needs a DSL, senior or admin role.
  • If you are unsure it is low-level, phone your DSL or the LADO for advice.

How it links together

Escalating starts a LADO referral from the concern. Closing keeps the record. Only DSLs, senior staff and admins can see the register.

Low-level concern to outcomeSmall notes show a pattern. A decision always has a reason.
  1. RecordAdult and narrative
  2. RegisterPattern visible
  3. AcknowledgeLead reads it
  4. EscalateTo the LADO
  5. CloseWith a reason

What counts

A low-level concern is behaviour that falls short of the standard expected. It does not meet the allegation threshold. Examples are favouritism, bad language or breaking a boundary.

Why record the small things

Small notes make a pattern visible. One remark may mean little. Five over a year may mean a lot. Recording them is how the pattern is seen.

The register

The register shows each adult, role, a short narrative, when it was raised, the category and the status. Statuses include Acknowledged and Closed.

Escalating

Escalate to LADO starts a referral from this concern. Use it when you decide the threshold is met or a pattern has formed.

Closing

Closing opens a small form for the reason. The reason is kept. Closing is not deleting.

Care with names and facts

These notes are about adults and can affect careers. Keep them factual, kept in the system, and shared only through your procedure.

Questions people ask

What is the difference from a LADO referral?

A low-level concern is below the allegation threshold. A LADO referral is for an allegation that may meet it.

Can I turn a low-level concern into a LADO referral?

Yes. Press Escalate to LADO on its row.

Who can see these?

DSLs, senior staff and admins. They are not shown to other staff.

Do I tell the adult?

Follow your procedure. Many organisations talk to the adult about low-level concerns, but not when a child may be at risk.

Why must I give a closing reason?

So anyone reading later can see why it was closed. The reason is part of the record.

What if I am not sure which to use?

Phone your DSL or the LADO and ask. When in doubt, take advice before closing.