We are looking for someone to join our Women’s Team as our designated Safeguarding & Welfare Officer. The full job description & person specification, and the application form, can be found on our website

Job Purpose:

• To contribute to the leadership, management and implementation of the Club’s safeguarding strategy, policy and procedures.


• This role should ensure a collaborative approach across the Club to the promotion of safeguards and the protection of children, young people and adults at risk both on and off line.


• Work in partnership with The FA, statutory agencies and other relevant organisations to report and manage concerns effectively and efficiently.

Accountabilities:

• To pro-actively promote and raise safeguarding awareness.


• To be the Women’s Club’s lead source of safeguarding support, advice and expertise.


• To work with the club safeguarding team to contribute to the implementation, promotion and review of the Club’s safeguarding policies, procedures and best practice guidelines.


• To provide regular reports to the Club’s senior management team and directors.


• To work closely with senior management to develop and implement safer recruitment and induction practices across the Club.


• 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 disciplinary 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 maintaining 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 ensuring 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 clubs 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 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 ensure player welfare is always the primary consideration in all activities.


• To support the transition of players out and back in from loans, supporting with accommodation site visits and possible review meetings both home and internationally.


• To work with the EDI officer to deliver a supportive programme


• To adhere to a strict code of confidentiality in respect of any information relating to Reading Football Club and its operation


• There is an expectation that you will undertake adhoc work on an exceptional basis or provide relevant cover for other team tasks

Person Specification

Qualifications:

Desirable

• Professional qualification in social work, probation or experience in a police child protection team

Experience:

Essential

• A professional background in child related work;


• Experience of working in safeguarding or child/adult protection and implementing policy and procedure;


• Experience of writing reports and compiling case file information;


• Experience of organisation assessment or audits

Desirable

• Proven experience, knowledge and understanding of the culture and structure of football;


• Experience of organisation assessment or audit

Knowledge:

Essential

• Knowledge of safeguarding children legislation and statutory guidance;


• Comprehensive understanding of Local Authority statutory bodies;


• Clarity about what constitutes poor practice and what is abusive behaviour;


• Demonstrates a working understanding of inclusion, equality and anti-discrimination, safeguarding and best practice

Desirable

• Working knowledge of systems such as Whole Game System and CPOMS

Skills:

Essential

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build meaningful, strong relationships with staff, players and parents/carers;


• Capacity to handle confidential data/information sensitively;


• Ability to promote best practice and the importance of a safe environment;


• Ability to use Microsoft

Attitude:

Essential

• Ability to deal constructively with people’s emotions (e.g. upset, distress, conflict, animosity);


• A person-centred approach and the ability to maintain this perspective