KCSIE 2026 splits concerns about adults working in or for the school, paid or unpaid, into two levels: those that may meet the harm threshold, and low-level concerns that don't (paragraph 435).
A concern meets the harm threshold when it is alleged that the person has (paragraph 437):
- 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 they may pose a risk of harm to children
- behaved, or may have behaved, in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children
The last part covers behaviour outside work, such as at home, that may make someone unsuitable. KCSIE calls this transferable risk (paragraph 438).
Where the threshold may be met, the concern goes to the headteacher, or to the chair of governors if it's about the head, who considers a referral to the LADO. If in doubt, ask the LADO (paragraphs 439 and 518).
A common confusion: this is not the same as the significant harm threshold for child protection enquiries about a child. The harm threshold is about whether an adult may be a risk to children. The same incident can trigger both: a referral about the child to children's social care, and the LADO process for the adult.