HR & Safeguarding Officer

Overall purpose of the Job

Blackburn Rovers Community Trust (BRCT) is the award-winning official charity of Blackburn Rovers FC.

The HR & Safeguarding Officer will provide high-quality generalist HR support and advice across the Trust, supporting managers and employees throughout the employee lifecycle and contributing to a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture.

The role will also support the Senior Safeguarding Manager (SSM) and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with the effective implementation and monitoring of safeguarding policies and procedures across the organisation, helping to ensure the welfare and safety of children, young people, vulnerable adults, staff and volunteers.

Working closely with the Finance, People and Policy Director, the postholder will support safer recruitment, employee wellbeing, compliance, learning and development, safeguarding culture and continuous organisational improvement.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day HR advice and support to managers and employees on policies, procedures and employee-related matters, escalating complex issues where appropriate.
• Support safer recruitment, onboarding and off-boarding processes, ensuring all compliance documentation is completed and recorded accurately.
• Coordinate recruitment activity including supporting hiring managers with preparing job descriptions, posting adverts and supporting interview processes.
• Maintain HR systems, employee records and compliance trackers, including DBS checks, references and right to work documentation.
• Support employee lifecycle processes including contracts, policy documentation, absence management, wellbeing initiatives and performance management.
• Assist with employee relations matters including, promotions, restructures, investigations, disciplinary and grievance processes.
• Support the development and review of HR policies, systems and processes to promote compliance, efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Produce HR and safeguarding reports, workforce insights and compliance data for senior leaders, Trustees, governing bodies and external partners where required.
• Support staff induction, training, mandatory compliance and continuous professional development across the organisation.
• Work collaboratively with managers, external agencies and support services to ensure effective people and safeguarding practices.
• Safeguarding
• Alongside the SSM and DSLs, support the effective implementation and promotion of safeguarding policies, procedures and safer working practices across the Trust.
• Provide safeguarding advice and support to staff in line with organisational policies and procedures, escalating concerns where appropriate.
• Monitor and triage safeguarding concerns and records using safeguarding reporting systems, ensuring accurate, confidential and GDPR-compliant record keeping.
• Immediately escalation high-risk or serious incidents to SSM.
• Support safeguarding investigations, audits, compliance requirements and reporting processes, identifying trends, learning opportunities and areas for improvement.
• Coordinate safeguarding training plans and mandatory safeguarding compliance for staff, volunteers and contractors.
• Attend relevant safeguarding meetings and maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation, guidance and best practice.
• General

Act at all times as an ambassador for Blackburn Rovers Community Trust and the Blackburn Rovers brand.

Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement, safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusion, contributing positively to the Trust’s culture, values and strategic objectives.

Person Specification

• Knowledge
• Excellent knowledge of Human Resources practices.
• Good knowledge of safeguarding practices and procedures.
• Good knowledge and understanding of UK employment law.
• Knowledge of Data Protection and confidentiality.

Essential

Experience

• Providing HR administrative or advisory support within a busy organisation.
• Using HR systems/databases.
• Managing confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Supporting recruitment, onboarding and employee lifecycle processes.
• Working with an external HR company to facilitate expert advice.
• Working within safeguarding procedures and practices.
• Report writing.
• Maintaining accurate records and compliance documentation.

Desirable

Experience

• Experience within a charity, football, education or community setting.
• Supporting employee relations casework.
• Working with confidential safeguarding or welfare-related information.
• Coordinating safeguarding training and compliance.

Essential

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent).
• CIPD Level 5 qualification or working towards.
• FA Safeguarding qualification (or willingness to complete).
• Safeguarding Children certificate (or willingness to complete immediately).
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training/awareness.

Desirable

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 7 qualification.
• Mental Health First Aid qualification.
• Safer Recruitment training.
• FAA3 Safeguarding.

Essential

Skills

• Good judgement and decision-making skills.
• Good analytical skills.
• Highly organised with attention to detail.
• Ability to assess risk, make sound decisions, and maintain accurate records.
• The ability to deal with all information with discretion and confidentiality.
• The ability to work flexibly.
• The ability to work within a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build positive working relationships across all levels of the organisation.
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands effectively.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations professionally and calmly.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

Essential

• Values and Personal Attributes
• Strong alignment with the values and mission of Blackburn Rovers Community Trust.
• Passion for community impact.
• High level of emotional intelligence.
• Clear commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and equality.
• Collaborative, supportive and accountable approach.

Desirable

• Values and Personal Attributes
• Interest in football and/or sport in relation to social impact.
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