1. Line managed by the Women's Academy Safeguarding Manager and a dotted line of direct report to the Women's Team General and Academy Managers, the purpose of the role is to assist the Safeguarding Team in pro-actively promoting and raising safeguarding awareness, responding appropriately to safeguarding incidents, concerns, and allegations, while having a positive impact through performance and well-being


2. To provide management and implementation of the Club's safeguarding and player welfare strategy, policy and procedures.


3. This role should ensure a collaborative approach across the Club which safeguards and protect children, young people and adults at risk on and offline, and in and outside of football


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


5. As appropriate, meet the welfare needs of players on a day-to-day basis; and provide an appropriate and proactive level of safeguarding


6. Provide guidance and support to ensure staff are meeting and can fulfil their duty of care and comply with Safeguarding policies and best practices and broader employee conduct

Cultural Competence

A failure to think about the range of individual or group needs could result in unintentional indirect discrimination. Thus, all work practices and engagements with others must consider any additional support, learning and training needs identified.

Staff and volunteers will be reminded of their role in promoting a safe and Inclusive Club environment for children, young people and 'adults at risk. Further, staff are aware of their duty to safeguard and protect children and young people regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Pro-actively promoting and raising safeguarding awareness so no young person or 'adult at risk' goes unsupported


• A point of escalation for all safeguarding, welfare and equality issues/complaints relating to Academy and First Team players


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


• Proactively support the management of the Academy and First Team section of the Club's Safeguarding, Welfare and Equality plans (and subsequent actions identified within these plans)


• Giving direction and guidance to staff regarding safeguarding concerns, allegations and the Club's whistleblowing policy


• Respond to poor practice concerns within the Club and its Academy in line with disciplinary policy, ensuring all safeguarding and poor practice concerns are recorded using the Club's CPOMS system and securely retained per data protection legislation


• Work in partnership and maintain effective relationships with statutory and football authorities, sharing information where appropriate to safeguarding


• Provide guidance and liaise with the WSL General Manager, to strengthen safeguarding and inclusion arrangements across the organisation and mitigate reputational risk


• To maintain player information confidentiality and professional distance from all playing staff acting within professional codes of conduct and scope of practice


• Attend regular safeguarding training and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and best practice.


• Ensure all staff/volunteers understand and are skilled in their responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable groups and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns


• To address poor behaviour and raise standards in football, promote safeguarding and create a culture that celebrates good practice across the Academy and First Team.


• Coordinate safeguarding visits and spot checks/audits throughout the season


• Arrange and deliver briefing workshops on life skills and safeguarding topics such as anti-bullying, finance, appropriate use of social media, and code of conduct to staff and players.


• Support the embedding of safeguarding and welfare matters across the Women's First Team Academy, including supporting the handling of concerns and issues as well as supporting ongoing mentoring and case management


• Contribute to maintaining, evaluating and improving the Club's safeguarding, player welfare and mental health arrangements.


• Liaise with the Academy Education Officer to review education reports and work with the players to then improve any concerns


• Develop a programme to support First Team player induction, player pathway, personal development and end-of-career transition


• Proactively promote and raise safeguarding awareness, including developing and delivering relevant training and workshops to players, parents, and carers.


• Support working with football and statutory authorities, key partners and peer organisations to share information to manage risk, strengthen safeguarding arrangements and share good practices.


• Assist in taking proactive measures to capture views and feedback from staff, players, and parents/carers


• Work alongside and under the guidance of the West Ham United Safeguarding Management team to strengthen safeguarding and inclusion arrangements across the organisation.


• Oversee risk assessments and welfare of Academy Players on tours and other related Women Academy activities from a Safeguarding point of view.


• Track and report on player welfare across the more comprehensive 'Player Pathway', from the development phase through to the Academy and further on to the 1st Team


• Work collaboratively with education staff, sports performance, the DSL and general staff to support young people in managing school/ footballing demands.


• Support the Academy welfare staff with the integration and transition of playing up to the Women's First Team. with a focus on away travel, trialists and Loan players

Safeguarding:

1. The candidate must evidence a commitment to the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk regardless of their age, gender, language, religion, ethnic background or sexual identity and ensure the safety and protection of all children, young people and adults at risk who are participants of activities arranged by or in the name of the Club


2. It is a requirement for the candidate to follow the Club's Safeguarding reporting procedures to report without delay allegations of abuse, poor practice or may impact the welfare of a child, young person or adult at risk. After contacting and taking guidance from the Safeguarding Team, staff must use the Club's Child Protection Online Management System (CPOMS) to record the concern within 24 hours unless directed to do otherwise.

Equal Opportunities

1. Ensure that all departments are provided with an anti-discriminatory framework and consider such issues as race, gender, sexuality, disability, religion, sexual orientation and age.


2. To carry out work in a manner that promotes equality of opportunity for both staff and clients.

Employees will be recruited, selected, promoted, and trained based on objective criteria.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will have skills and experience in the following areas: - Essential (E), Desirable (D)

Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Suitably experienced in having worked in a welfare/ safeguarding capacity (E)


• Good working knowledge of common welfare challenges experienced by players balancing education and elite sporting participation (D)


• Experienced in developing resources and networking to promote youth well-being (E)


• Safeguarding qualification (E)


• Working in a manner that is reflective and proactively promotes inclusion and diversity (E)


• Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check (E)


• Experienced in supporting the management of safeguarding concerns and keeping clear and comprehensive records of incidents, allegations, details of progress and investigation outcomes. (E)


• Experienced in liaising with parents/ carers, schools and other young people-focused organisations in the management of concerns (E)


• Ability to plan and deliver workshops and events and to support youth pastoral care and welfare (E)


• Keep up-to-date records of disclosures, reporting of concerns and required staffing qualifications (E)


•  Evidencing that new legislation is suitably communicated to staff and embedded in everyday practice (E)


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (E)


• Have a flexible attitude to work, including attendance at home matches (E)


• Excellent organisation and time management skills (E)


• Expert problem solver who is calm under pressure (E)


• Ability to work effectively under the initiative and as a team member and anticipate and prioritise different workloads. (E)


• Ability to communicate concisely, assertively and effectively with various professional disciplines and at all levels of an organisation. (E)


• Experienced in appropriately challenging and reporting poor behaviour


• Ability to adapt quickly and have a flexible attitude. (E)


• Maintain absolute confidentiality. (E)


• Competent IT skills. (E)


• Possession of a valid passport and comfortable with travelling as required. (E)


• Hold current clean driving license and have use of own vehicle (D)


• Have a flexible attitude to work, including attendance at home matches (E)


• Be prepared to work, at times, unsociable hours, including evenings and weekends and have a willingness to travel (E)