Head of Safeguarding

JOB PURPOSE

 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 in the organisation.

 Ensure the Club’s vision and values in relation to the safeguarding of Children and Adults at risk.

 Working with others within the organisation to create a positive, child-centred environment.

 Reports to:  Director of HR and Senior Safeguarding Leader (and the Trustee for Safeguarding for the Community Trust).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 ·         Represent and regularly report to the Board(s) on safeguarding policies, procedures, and practices within the organisation.

·         Ensure that the Boards are able to maintain oversight on the Safeguarding Risk Register and the Safeguarding Strategy and Safeguarding Implementation Plan.

·         Report to the Boards regularly on organizational safeguarding and Duty of Care (pastoral) matters, including highlighting areas of risk/concern, identifying areas of poor practice/areas for improvement, and providing analysis of numbers and types of safeguarding concerns/disclosure, complaints, and player/participant bullying incidents within the organisation.

·         Ensure that Safeguarding Managers have adequate time and resources to fulfil the requirements of their role as well as access to training relevant to the role.

·         Meet on a regular basis with the Safeguarding Managers to ensure guidance and support if needed, whilst keeping abreast of all safeguarding work and developments. Keep written documentation of these meetings.

·         Ensure that all policies relating to safeguarding and welfare are signed off by a board representative annually (or bi-annually) or when required due to a change in legislation or practice. (Keep up to date with changes in legislation in practice).

·         Play a lead role in curating and evolving the organisation’s approach to safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk.

·         Manage cases of poor practice and abuse reported to the organisation. (Have a strong understanding of complaints, investigations and whistleblowing procedures).

·         Play a pivotal role in the management of any allegations against staff.

·         Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date documentation on all cases of safeguarding and child protection and report where required (LADO, FA, EFL, PL Funding) 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, volunteers, and stakeholders of the organisation in relation to safeguarding concerns and queries.

·         Advise on the organisation’s training needs and the development of its workforce development plan and provide training where appropriate. Tailor training to bespoke groups of colleagues in their context to ensure that safeguarding is understood.

·         Oversee (and co-deliver with safeguarding manager) safeguarding induction to all staff.

·         Lead on the maintenance and review of the organisation’s implementation plan for safeguarding and protecting children.

 MAIN JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

 ·         Significant experience in a safeguarding role with responsibility for children, young people and adults at risk, ideally within sport, education, charity or community settings.

·         Strong knowledge of UK safeguarding legislation, child protection and best practice, and experience managing referrals to statutory agencies (e.g., LADO, Police, Social Care).

·         Proven experience developing, reviewing and implementing safeguarding policies, procedures, risk registers and improvement plans.

·         Experience of reporting safeguarding issues, trends and risks to senior leaders or Boards.

·         Confident communicator able to advise, support and appropriately challenge staff, volunteers and stakeholders at all levels.

·         Excellent organisational skills with the ability to maintain accurate, confidential records in line with GDPR.

·         Experience of delivering or coordinating safeguarding training and contributing to workforce development.

·         Calm, professional and resilient when handling complex, sensitive cases.

·         Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to continuing professional development.

·         Football experience beneficial but not essential — candidates with strong safeguarding expertise from other sectors will be considered.

Additional Information:

• This a Full-Time role

• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK