Designated Safeguarding Officer

Vacancy – Full Time

(35 hrs over 5 days a week – evening and weekend work may be required)                        

Salary - £26,266

An exciting opportunity has arisen to undertake a key County Football Association role as Designated Safeguarding Officer for Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA. We are inviting applications from suitably qualified and experienced individuals with a desire to deliver excellence to join our organisation.

Key responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Officer role include:

• Operationally lead the implementation and delivery of safeguarding policy and procedures within the County FA, being accountable for relevant areas of The FA’s Safeguarding Operating Standard as set out by The FA.
• To link into the Senior Management Team and take a dynamic and strategic approach to safeguarding delivery within the County FA, raising awareness and providing organisational support and direction to colleagues.
• To provide the Senior Management Team/Board with regular reports on safeguarding activity within the County FA.
• Refer to FA Case Management Safeguarding children and adults at risk abuse concerns and take action(s) in accordance with FA safeguarding regulations, policy and procedures as agreed with The FA Safeguarding Team.
• Ensure all safeguarding referrals are recorded within The FA’s Case Managements system and securely retained in accordance with FA regulations, policies and data protection legislation.
• Deal with all poor practice concerns relating to children and adults at risk in accordance with FA regulations, safeguarding policy, procedures and disciplinary processes. Provide guidance to clubs and leagues, record incidents of Poor Practice within the CFA’s recording systems and seek guidance from The FA Safeguarding Team as required.
• To develop strategies to address poor behaviour, raise standards in grassroots football, promote safeguarding and create a culture that celebrates good practice across the County FA.
• Utilise FA IT systems to monitor safeguarding compliance across the grassroots volunteer network and assist in strategic planning.
• Ensure the County FA is compliant with safeguarding legislation e.g. Data Protection/GDPR 2018, Children’s Act, Sexual Offences Act, Protection of Freedoms Act (Criminal Record Checks), the Governments ‘Working Together Guidance 2018’ and any other legislation or statutory guidance that may be introduced.
• Develop strong relationships with strategic partners and key stakeholders.
• Strategically manage effective designated persons networks ; including liaising with the Local Authority Designated Officer(s), Local safeguarding Partnerships, Local Safeguarding Adult Boards, Children’s and Adults Social Care Services, Police Child Protection Team(s) and supporting youth league and club welfare officers to be compliant with safeguarding legislation, FA safeguarding policy, best practice guidance and education programmes.
• Manage a diverse workload being able to prioritise work according to risk and timeframes.
• Maintain strong links with key FA staff and attend National FA safeguarding events and CPD courses to ensure knowledge and skills are maintained and updated.
• Co-ordinate CFA safeguarding visits, spot checks/audits on clubs throughout the season to ensure they are compliant with the records they have submitted to the County FA.
• Through assessing education requirements and qualification renewals ensure that sufficient workshop opportunities are available for new volunteers and existing leagues and club Welfare Officers. Arrange and deliver CPD events.
• Ensure that any individual helping with any CFA event(s) involving children is suitably trained and is aware of their responsibilities at the event(s).
• Propose and maintain safeguarding budgets.

For a discussion about this role, please contact Simon Frost, Tel 0114 2615501.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 6 month probationary period.

As this role involves regulated activity with children or young people under the age of 18 within the context of the job or any subsequently related activities or responsibilities, the successful candidate will undergo a thorough screening process, which will include a Criminal Records Check to ensure their suitability for the role.

To apply, please send your CV, together with a covering letter, explaining why you wish to be considered for this role within the County FA to:

Simon Frost,

General Manager,

204 Meadowhall Road, Sheffield, S9 1BN

or via email to Simon.frost@sheffieldfa.com   

                        Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:  Wednesday 10^th July, 5 pm.

Interviews will take place at the County FA Offices on Monday 22^nd July 2019. Due to the volume of applications we receive, if you do not hear from us by Friday 19^th July, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.