Safeguarding Officer - Women's First Team

About the Safeguarding Team

Our committed safeguarding team strives to foster a secure and supportive atmosphere where everyone connected to the club feels safe and respected. Within the Academy, stringent safeguarding policies are enforced to protect young athletes. This includes conducting frequent risk assessments and specialized training sessions for coaches and staff, focusing on identifying and managing safeguarding issues.

The team cooperates closely with other departments to integrate safeguarding protocols into all club activities, ensuring our young players can flourish both in their athletic and personal development environments.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a committed part-time Women's Designated Safeguarding Officer to serve as the primary safeguarding contact for Sunderland Women’s First Team. This role entails managing safeguarding concerns, supporting both players and staff, facilitating training programs, and liaising with external agencies to maintain a safe setting. The position offers adaptable hours to accommodate personal schedules.

The role involves being the initial contact for safeguarding concerns, addressing queries, issues, and allegations swiftly, escalating critical incidents to relevant bodies, keeping detailed and confidential records, and participating in multi-agency collaborations. Building partnerships with external safeguarding organizations and increasing safeguarding awareness within the team are crucial. Additionally, the officer will assist in training and offer expert advice to staff on safeguarding matters to uphold club protocols.

Requirements

The preferred applicant should have proven experience safeguarding adults, supported by ongoing professional development in safeguarding best practices. Essential is a thorough understanding of adult safeguarding laws and guidelines, including knowledge of threats like abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. Experience in conducting risk assessments, managing cases, and cooperating with authorities such as Social Care, Police, or NHS is necessary. Excellent communication skills, a person-focused attitude, and discretion handling confidential information are imperative.

Availability during evenings and weekends aligned with the Women’s First Team schedule is required, including occasional presence or on-call duties at home and away games as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Additional Information

An Enhanced Criminal Background Check (DBS) conducted by Sunderland AFC is mandatory for this position.