Academy Designated Safeguarding Officer

TEAM: Safeguarding

LINE MANAGER: Senior Safeguarding Manager

About The Role

The Academy Designated Safeguarding Officer will hold primary responsibility for managing and reporting safeguarding concerns and for putting into place and monitoring policies, procedures and daily practice to safeguard children and adults at risk within the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

We are looking for an experienced, knowledgeable and innovative individual who has experience of safeguarding with young people.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Working with others within the organisation to create a positive, child-centred environment
• Play a lead role in developing and establishing the organisation’s approach to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk
• Manage cases of poor practice and abuse reported to the organisation
• Maintain accurate, confidential and up-to-date documentation on all cases of safeguarding and child protection and report where required in line with GDPR regulations
• Manage referrals to children’s social-care services, LADO, the police, the EFL and FA as and when required
• Central point of contact for internal and external individuals and agencies
• Represent the organisation at external meetings related to safeguarding
• Coordinate the dissemination of policy, procedures and resources throughout the organisation

• Provide advice and support to all staff, parents, players and associates of the organisation in relation to safeguarding concerns and queries
• Advise on the organisation’s training needs and the development of its training strategy; provide training where appropriate
• Play a lead role in maintaining and reviewing the organisation’s implementation plan for safeguarding and protecting children
• Ensure safeguarding standards are met and maintained
• Keep own knowledge and skills up-to-date
• Encourage good practice by promoting and championing the safeguarding policy and procedures

Person Specification

The club would welcome applications from individuals who have the following qualifications and experiences:

Essential:

• Hold EFL Safeguarding qualification at Level 3 or ability to complete within 12 months of appointment.
• Previous experience in a safeguarding role
• Ability to work with potential conflict and emotionally distressing matters
• Ability to disseminate information and delegate
• Able to work on own initiative
• Strong communication skills
• Excellent relationship building skills.
• Attention to detail
• Well organised
• Ability to plan ahead
• Ability to take direction

Desirable:

• Previous experience of working with a professional sporting environment
• Previous experience of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP)

How to Apply

Applications are to be sent by email to careers@bcfc.co.uk. Applications should include a covering letter (max. 1 page) on the experience you have that makes you suitable for the role and should be accompanied by a current CV (max. 2 pages).

Closing date for receipt of applications: Monday 24th November 2025

Due to the high volume of applicants we receive, if you have not been contacted one month after applying, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of any of our job vacancies if we receive a suitable number of quality applications from which to make a shortlist. Therefore, we recommend that you apply as soon as possible rather than wait until the published closing date.

Safeguarding Statement:

Bristol City Football Club is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment.

Note: Due to the nature of the role, any job offer is dependent on a DBS check. All information will be kept by the Safeguarding Officer in strictest confidence.

Equality Statement:

The successful candidate must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.