WOMEN\'S AND GIRLS ACADEMY SAFEGUARDING LEAD

To implement, promote the Club’s safeguarding policies, procedures, and best practice guidelines to maximise the safety and welfare of Children, Young People and Adults at Risk. Function as the Designated Safeguarding Officer for Wrexham AFC Women’s and Girl’s Academy.

Main Responsibilities

• Be a known and visible point of contact for Players and Staff for any Academy safeguarding issues which may arise and manage these effectively and proportionately, with consideration to the level of need and risk.
• Have an excellent understanding of the EFL Safeguarding standards in order to meet and exceed audit requirements.
• Update and review Academy specific policies and procedures where appropriate to promote and improve Safeguarding wherever possible.
• Respond to poor practice concerns within the Academy, in line with the Club Safeguarding policies.
• Support Staff to embed Academy policies and procedures and promote good practice.
• Work with the Head of Safeguarding to effectively conduct initial assessments of all safeguarding concerns raised by children, their families, colleagues, and/or external parties/professionals to legislative and best practice requirements.
• Confidently manage complex safeguarding concerns with consideration of competing needs.
• Confidently make defensible safeguarding judgments whilst understanding the needs of children and adults at risk.
• Effectively risk assess and put in measures to manage and reduce risk towards others and the Club.
• Hold responsibility to promote the safeguarding of people and ensuring that a safe and secure environment is provided.
• Work with the Head of Safeguarding to refer any relevant information with Police, Local Authorities and other statutory organisations when safeguarding matters arise, in urgent situations make appropriate external referrals and record details on MyConcern.
• To work closely with the Head of Safeguarding to ensure that the action plan as a result of audits is prioritised and completed effectively.
• To support in aspects of the operational delivery of the Club’s Safeguarding Strategy.
• Maintain accurate records on MyConcern with strict confidentiality and share appropriate as needed.
• Work with staff to ensure that safeguarding is a key priority in the planning and delivery of the Academy’s activities and is implemented effectively throughout.
• Contribute to the induction programme and training for new/existing staff regarding safeguarding and deliver safeguarding training with all staff/volunteers as required.
• Support Academy delivery staff in the understanding of ensuring high standards of care, values, ethics, equality and diversity, policies and procedures, legislation and contractual requirements are met.
• Complete the administration of all Academy safeguarding queries and promotion of new policies, procedures and key contacts.
• Encourage good practice by promoting and championing the Club safeguarding policy and procedures.
• Provide the necessary reporting to the Head of Safeguarding, Chief Executive Officer and Club Board.
• To deliver sessions to parents/carers and players around life skills as set out by FAW.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to this role.
• To be able to work flexible hours where the role requires, and travel within and outside of the UK in response to the demands of the Academy.
• Work alongside other team members to support in other areas of the Club as and when required.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

We are committed to ensuring everyone who engages with the Academy has a positive, safe, and supportive experience. Staff are required to comply with all aspects of the Club Safeguarding Policies and arrangements and to take personal responsibility and care to enable strong safeguarding practices to be embedded in the Academy and across the Club too. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check (with Children’s Barred List).

HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

Take responsibility and care for the health and safety of yourself and other employees and members of the public who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work. To comply with all aspects of the Club’s Health & Safety Policy and arrangements, to enable the company to perform its civil and statutory obligations in relation to Health & Safety.

Equality, Diversity And Inclusion Responsibilities

Hold a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

About The Candidate

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Significant experience of Safeguarding within a professional setting or qualifications in social care, welfare or pastoral settings or elite sport settings. Be confident in managing complex safeguarding scenarios with competing needs to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Children or Adults at Risk who may be involved.

Personal Specification – Skills / Abilities Required

• Hold a strong presence within the Academy Team and be approachable by Staff, Parents, and Players of all ages.
• Have experience in defensible decision making.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with a range of individuals and their needs.
• Work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to manage a varied workload.
• Good IT skills including intermediate abilities in all MS Office programmes.
• Time management skills to be able to plan and regulate workload including the ability to prioritise demands and thrive under pressure.
• A flexible approach to work and be adaptable to a changing environment within the UK and abroad and be available for travel with the Academy.
• Ability to work under own initiative to achieve objectives but also support departmental goals as a team member.

About The Club

CLUB VALUES

Code of Conduct: Wrexham Football Club expects the highest standards of integrity and conduct in all matters concerning the Club and its employees. The Code of Conduct makes clear the standards of conduct expected from its employees and explains the responsibilities of the Club, as the employer. All employees are expected to always act wholeheartedly in the interests of the Club. Any conduct detrimental to its interests or its relations with its customers, suppliers, the public or damaging to its public image shall be a breach of Club rules and policies. Discriminatory, offensive, and violent behaviour are unacceptable, and any complaints or concerns will be dealt with and acted upon.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: Wrexham Football Club are committed to ensuring that equality, diversity and inclusion of opportunity is at the very heart of everything we do to ensure we provide fair and non-prejudicial access to the services across the Club. We uphold everyone’s freedom of rights and choice to be different and aim to provide opportunities for everyone to succeed. It is the policy of the Club that no person, whether player, job applicant, employee, volunteer, or customer, shall be discriminated against. The Club opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, either direct or indirect, or harassment, on the grounds of the following ‘protected characteristics’: Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage & Civil Partnership, Pregnancy & Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex and Sexual Orientation. Anyone who is found to be in breach of this could receive disciplinary action, which may well include suspension and dismissal.

The Club is fully committed to the EFL Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standards and as we are under represented in these areas; we particularly welcome ‘entry level’ applications from women, individuals from Black and Minority Ethnicities, the LGBT community and anyone with a disability.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment: Wrexham Football Club are committed to and has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure that all children and vulnerable adults are protected and kept safe from harm whilst engaged in services organised and provided by the club and believes that the general wellbeing, welfare and safety of all children and vulnerable adults engaged in club activities is of the upmost importance. The Club will fulfil its responsibilities by ensuring it displays best practice in safeguarding matters – including Safer Recruitment - carried out in a spirit of partnership and openness with the child or vulnerable adult, families, and the relevant local authority.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar a potential candidate from working with the Club. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence(s) committed. As an organisation using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to assess applicant’s suitability for positions of trust, the Club complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly.