Safeguarding and Welfare Officer

**Blackburn Rovers Ladies Football Club Ltd.**

**Job title**:Safeguarding and Welfare Officer

**Department**:Ladies Football Department

**Based at**:BRFC Academy and Senior Training Centre, Old Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8BA/8FA.
You will also be required to attend home match days as and when required.

**Reports to**:General Manager

**Responsible for**:N/A

**Hours of work**:25 hours per week plus any additional hours necessary for the performance of duties. This will include regular evening and weekend work.

**Contractual status**:Permanent

**1. Job purpose**:To 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 offline.

**2. Duties and ** To be committed to ensuring the safeguarding and welfare of all elite players **responsibilities**:and staff, promoting their well-being whilst maintaining professional boundaries;
- To work in partnership with the FA, statutory agencies, and other relevant organisations to report and manage concerns effectively and efficiently;
- Development and implementation of Safeguarding Operating Standards specific to Footballing activities;
- Work in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary teams (MDT), Ladies

Designated Safeguarding Officer and Club Safeguarding Officer to promote anddeliver the Clubs’ safeguarding and welfare objectives;
- A visible presence at the training sessions, matchdays and events, supporting with the documentation of safeguarding risk assessments for key activities;
- Ensure staff/volunteers understand their individual responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable groups and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns;
- Arrange and deliver briefing workshops, in safeguarding topics such as anti
- bullying, appropriate use of social media, code of conducts, to staff and players;
- Develop strong relationships with the MDT and support them with concerns or queries on safeguarding and wellbeing of players;
- Work in partnership with colleagues, The FA, statutory agencies and other relevant organisations to report and manage concerns effectively and efficiently;
- Ensure all safeguarding and poor practice concerns are recorded in a robust system and securely retained in accordance with data protection legislation;
- Maintain accurate, confidential and up to date records on all safeguarding concerns and allegations in line with applicable Data Protection Laws;
- To seek advice from the FA/NSPCC/local Children’s Social Care or the Police in circumstances of child protection urgency;
- To seek advice and guidance either from the CFA Welfare Officer or FA Case

Management Team on poor practice issues as necessary;
- Implement and promote the Club’s safeguarding policies, procedures and best
- practice guidelines; and attend regular safeguarding training and maintaining an up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and best practice.

**3. Skills required**: Knowledge and understanding of young female players development and an understanding of their needs;
- Ability to maintain a person-centred approach when carrying out the Welfare

Officer role;
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to build meaningful, strong relationships with staff, players and parents/carers and deal constructively with people’s emotions;
- Experience of dealing or working with young people;
- Ability to communicate effectively in different situations with people from diverse backgrounds;
- Empathy when dealing with individuals, sometimes in demanding situations;
- Experience of writing reports and compiling case file information;
- Commitment and ability to promote safeguarding children and sports equity principles;
- Capacity to handle confidential information sensitively; and
- Ability to organise, prioritise and meet deadlines.

**4. Knowledge ** An understanding of the current Ladies structure and the culture of football;
**required**:

- Experience of implementing policies, protocols and guidance;
- Knowledge of statutory organisations working in child protection;
- Ability to work in a team environment;
- Working understanding of inclusion, equality and anti-discrimination, safeguarding and best practice;
- Experience of writing reports and compiling case file information;
- Knowledge and experience of working in safeguarding or child/adult protection; and
- Knowledge of safeguarding children legislation and statutory guidance and understanding of Local Authority statutory bodies.

**5. Qualifications ** FA Safeguarding Children Workshop certificate; and
**required**:

- Experience of working within a supportive role.

**DBS check required**:Yes (Enhanced)

**The document is a guide only and should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in the light of changing needs of the organisation.**

**How to Apply**
- **Equality and Di