Job Description
About the Safeguarding Team:
Our dedicated team is committed to creating a secure and supportive environment, ensuring that everyone involved with our club feels safe and valued.
At the Academy, we implement robust safeguarding policies tailored to protect our young athletes. We conduct regular risk assessments and provide tailored training for coaches and staff, focusing on recognising and addressing potential safeguarding concerns.
Working closely with other teams, we ensure that safeguarding measures are seamlessly integrated into all activities. Our aim is to protect our young talents so they can thrive on and off the pitch in a nurturing environment.
The Opportunity:
We are looking for an experienced Safeguarding Manager to lead the progression and implementation of the Club’s safeguarding strategy, action plan and operational delivery on a fixed-term maternity cover basis.
You will act as the Club’s principal safeguarding advisor to senior leadership, providing oversight of safeguarding policy, case management, reporting frameworks, audit compliance, workforce development and safe practice across all Club functions.
The role will work closely with the Club’s senior Safeguarding Lead, HR, Football Operations, Academy, Foundation, statutory agencies and football authorities to ensure safeguarding concerns are managed transparently, swiftly and appropriately, with a focus on continuous learning and improvement.
What We Ask For:
We’re looking for a confident safeguarding leader with strong technical knowledge of safeguarding children and adults at risk, backed by a relevant professional qualification and experience in a complex, high-profile environment.
You’ll know the key statutory frameworks and football safeguarding requirements, with proven experience managing complex cases, audits, inspections and action plans.
You’ll be able to lead people, influence at senior level and build trusted relationships across the Club, statutory agencies, governing bodies and external partners.
Calm under pressure and highly organised, you’ll bring sound judgement, strong communication skills and the ability to make confident, risk-based safeguarding decisions.
You’ll also be passionate about creating safe, inclusive and accessible environments, using insight, learning and continuous improvement to drive high standards across the Club.
An Enhanced DBS and relevant safeguarding checks will be required for this role, as provided by SAFC.
