Pointers for Practice: Roles and Positions of Trust

Purpose:
To support consistent decision-making by identifying examples of roles that typically do and do not meet the initial criteria for Section 5 consideration. This guidance is not exhaustive and professional judgment must always be applied.

Roles Likely to Meet Initial Criteria (Direct or Indirect Contact)

These roles commonly involve contact with children or adults at risk and may fall within Section 5 procedures:

• Education Settings:
  • Teachers, Headteachers, Learning Support Assistants (LSAs)
  • Support staff (kitchen, caretaking, midday supervisors)
  • Governors, proprietors, management committees of PRUs
  • Students on placement, learners in a position of trust
• Social Care:
  • Social workers, social care officers, social work assistants
  • Support workers in residential or domiciliary care
  • Foster carers, adult placement carers
• Health Services:
  • GPs, nurses, occupational therapists, health visitors
  • Healthcare assistants, hospital porters
• Community and Public Services:
  • Police officers/PCSOs
  • Fire and ambulance service personnel
  • Probation officers
• Sports and Leisure:
  • Sports coaches, dance and performing arts teachers
• Faith and Community Groups:
  • Faith leaders, community group leaders
• Third Sector and Voluntary Roles:
  • Support workers in charities and voluntary organisations
• Other Roles:
  • Transport staff involved in care provision
  • Personal Assistants (including those employed under direct payment arrangements)
  • Private tutors
  • Elected members (position of trust)

Note: This list is illustrative only. If unclear, seek advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or Designated Officer for Safeguarding (DoS).

Roles Generally NOT Meeting Initial Criteria

These roles typically do not involve contact with children or adults at risk and are unlikely to fall under Section 5 procedures:

• Purely administrative or back-office roles with no safeguarding responsibilities (e.g., finance, HR, IT support).
• Contractors or suppliers with no direct or indirect contact (e.g., building maintenance outside operational hours).
• Roles limited to governance or oversight without operational contact (unless safeguarding responsibilities are explicit).
• Positions where allegations relate solely to organisational practice or service quality, not individual conduct.

Note: If any allegation suggests transferrable risk or meets one of the Four Threshold Criteria, Section 5 may still apply. Always consider context and seek LADO/DoS advice.