​We are looking for someone to join our team who will play a key role in implementing and evolving the Academy’s approach to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk. You will also promote and support the provision of Safeguarding throughout the Academy

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
To implement, promote and review the Club’s safeguarding policies, procedures, and best practice guidelines.
To provide regular reports to senior management.
To give direction and guidance to staff in respect of safeguarding concerns, allegations, and the Club’s whistleblowing policy.
To respond to poor practice concerns within the Club and its Academy in line with the safeguarding policy.
To ensure all safeguarding and poor practice concerns are recorded in a robust system and securely retained in accordance with data protection legislation.
To work in partnership and maintain effective relationships with statutory and football authorities, sharing information where appropriate to safeguard.
To maintain accurate, confidential and up to date records on all safeguarding concerns and allegations in line with Applicable Data Protection Laws
To attend regular safeguarding training and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and best practice.
To ensure all staff/volunteers understand their individual responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable groups and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
To ensure staff engage with regular safeguarding education to ensure they develop and maintain the necessary skills and knowledge to safeguard in their role.
To address poor behaviour and raise standards in football, promote safeguarding and creating a culture that celebrates good practice across the Academy.
To co-ordinate safeguarding visits, spot checks/audits on club accommodation throughout the season.
To arrange and deliver briefing workshops, in safeguarding topics such as anti-bullying, appropriate use of social media, code of conducts, to staff and players.
To implement and contribute to the management Host Family programme within the academy, as well as management of the Host Family programme
To work with welfare and safeguarding staff to ensure all players in Host Family accommodation are in safe and secure accommodation in line with DBS requirements and internal screening processes.
To work with the Psychology department to maintain the Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing strategy.
To support the Academy Induction, Transition & Exit strategy for all players.
To ensure safeguarding and player welfare is always the primary consideration in all activities.
To ensure all EPPP requirements are met and reviewed. Act in a manner that supports the Club’s Vision and Values at all times.
To respond to all enquiries within Reading Football Club Charter guidelines.
To adhere to a strict code of confidentiality in respect of any information relating to Reading Football Club and its operation
To undertake adhoc work on an exceptional basis or provide relevant cover for other team tasks

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

QUALIFICATIONS: Essential - FA Safeguarding Children or equivalent Desirable - A recognised qualification in Safeguarding

EXPERIENCE: Essential - Experience of Safeguarding and working with children, ideally in an elite sport environment

KNOWLEDGE: Essential - Knowledge, understanding, and experience of working with and supporting young people with mental health or wellbeing concerns

SKILLS: Essential - Strong verbal and written communications skills; Experience of working in a sporting environment to provide Player Care & Safeguarding support and delivery; Ability to communicate complex data to a variety of audiences; Excellent teamwork; Proactive and positive attitude; Resilient to difficult situations; Good computer and numeracy skills; Able to give and receive feedback to colleagues; Understands who drives customer satisfaction and behavior; Takes ownership and follows up on any issues, makes well considered and timely decisions.

ATTITUDE:Essential - To be a role model for all club values and ways of working; To exude a can-do attitude (best of Reading Football Club); To be flexible and agile, always ready to adapt when things don’t go to plan; To be an ambassador for Reading Football Club; To act in a manner that supports the Club’s Vision and Values at all times