Head of SafeguardingFleetwood Town

Fleetwood Town Football Club is looking for an experienced safeguarding professional to lead and strengthen safeguarding practice across our Category 2 Academy and wider Club environment.

This is a senior, trusted position with responsibility for safeguarding strategy, complex case management, compliance, safer recruitment, training and multi-agency working. The successful candidate will help ensure that children, young people and adults at risk feel safe, listened to and supported.

Role details

Department: Academy
Location: Poolfoot Farm Training Complex
Reports to: Senior Safeguarding Manager
Contract: Permanent
Working hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility to meet the needs of the Academy and safeguarding function
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

The role

As Head of Safeguarding, you will provide expert advice and appropriate professional challenge across Fleetwood Town Football Club.

Working closely with the Academy Manager, Senior Leadership Team, HR Manager, Designated Safeguarding Officers and relevant Club departments, you will promote a culture in which safeguarding is understood as everyone’s responsibility.

Key responsibilities

Safeguarding leadership and strategy

• Develop, implement and review the Club’s safeguarding strategy in line with legislation, statutory guidance, EFL and FA requirements and recognised best practice.
• Provide expert safeguarding advice to senior leaders, managers, coaches, staff and volunteers.
• Identify and monitor safeguarding risks, establishing appropriate action plans and preventative measures.
• Provide safeguarding reports, analysis and assurance to senior management and relevant governance groups.
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture across the Club.

Case management

• Oversee the recording, assessment and management of safeguarding concerns, allegations, disclosures and welfare issues.
• Ensure concerns are risk assessed, managed and escalated promptly and proportionately.
• Refer concerns to statutory agencies, the EFL, the FA or other relevant bodies when required.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and contemporaneous safeguarding records.
• Oversee the Club’s electronic safeguarding case-management system and safeguarding caseload.
• Work collaboratively with Children’s Social Care, Police, Local Authority Designated Officers and other safeguarding partners.

Academy safeguarding and player welfare

• Provide safeguarding leadership and support across Fleetwood Town’s Category 2 Academy.
• Embed safeguarding throughout the Academy pathway for players, parents and carers, staff, trialists and visitors.
• Oversee safeguarding arrangements relating to player care, accommodation, host families, education, transport, tours, tournaments and travel.
• Support recruitment, trialling, onboarding and the ongoing welfare of Academy players.
• Help maintain an environment in which young players feel safe, respected, listened to and able to raise concerns.

Policy, compliance and safer recruitment

• Develop and regularly review safeguarding policies, procedures and guidance.
• Monitor compliance with Club policies, safeguarding legislation and EFL and FA standards.
• Lead or support safeguarding audits and ensure agreed actions are completed.
• Maintain safeguarding records and documentation, including the Single Central Record.
• Work with HR to embed safeguarding throughout recruitment and induction.
• Oversee relevant DBS checks, references, risk assessments and barring referrals.
• Develop and deliver safeguarding induction and training for staff and volunteers.

Staff support and external partnerships

• Lead, guide and support Designated Safeguarding Officers across the organisation.
• Establish clear safeguarding responsibilities, reporting arrangements and escalation routes.
• Represent Fleetwood Town Football Club at relevant safeguarding meetings and forums.
• Maintain effective relationships with statutory agencies, football authorities, local safeguarding partnerships and voluntary organisations.
• Keep up to date with safeguarding legislation, guidance and best practice relevant to professional football.

About you

Essential

You will have:

• A relevant professional safeguarding qualification or significant equivalent safeguarding experience.
• Substantial experience in a safeguarding environment involving children, young people and/or adults at risk.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, policy and best practice.
• Experience managing complex concerns, allegations and disclosures.
• Experience working with statutory agencies and external safeguarding partners.
• Experience developing and reviewing safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Experience delivering safeguarding training and promoting awareness.
• Experience maintaining confidential safeguarding records and managing casework.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Sound professional judgement and the confidence to challenge and escalate concerns.
• The integrity and discretion required to manage highly sensitive information.
• A clear commitment to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk.

Desirable

It would be advantageous to have:

• Experience in professional football, elite sport or a multi-disciplinary performance environment.
• Knowledge of EFL and FA safeguarding requirements.
• Experience of safeguarding within residential, accommodation or host-family settings.
• Experience of safeguarding audits and organisational risk management.
• Knowledge of safeguarding within youth development and elite player pathways.

Safeguarding and equality

Fleetwood Town Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. We expect all staff, volunteers and applicants to share this commitment and uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour.

This position is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and, where applicable, checks against the relevant barred lists as part of our safer recruitment process.

Fleetwood Town Football Club is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect.