Safeguarding Manager and Designated Safeguarding Officer

The successful candidate will have a good, current understanding of safeguarding practice as it applies to young people and will have practical experience of working/volunteering with children in this context. An understanding of school sport and/or the FA’s Safeguarding 365 standard would be an advantage.

If you are passionate about providing safe opportunities for children to play football, and have a track record of positive influence, then the role offers flexible working, pension provision and 31 days’ leave in an environment which strives for high levels of staff satisfaction.

The ESFA is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all communities. The ESFA is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through The FA DBS process. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Checks on online presence may be made as part of the application process.

Main responsibilities:

• To support delivery of The FA Schools’ Football Strategy and the English Schools’ FA’s Business Plan
• To manage the ESFA’s safeguarding work, in line with legislation, FA safeguarding policy, procedures, regulations, standards and guidance.
• To manage safeguarding and child and adults at risk protection concerns in a timely manner and in line with FA requirements and guidance.
• To take operational responsibility for the implementation of The FA’s Safeguarding 365 Standard for County FAs and driving safer practice and culture in schools’ football.
• To oversee, track and ensure ongoing compliance with all areas of The FA’s Safeguarding 365 Standard for County FAs measures, policies and procedures and collate and submit all evidence for assessment.
• To operationally lead the implementation and delivery of safeguarding within the ESFA, being accountable for relevant areas of The FA’s Safeguarding 365 Standard.
• To support the Senior Leadership Team and take a dynamic and strategic approach to safeguarding delivery within the ESFA, raising awareness and providing organisational support and direction to colleagues and Members.
• To work with the Chief Executive Officer to provide the Board with regular reports on safeguarding activity within the ESFA.
• To work with The FA Safeguarding Case Management Team (FA SCMT) to refer child abuse and adults at risk concerns to The FA, acting in line with the relevant FA safeguarding policy, regulations and guidance.
• To record all safeguarding concerns on the prevailing FA safeguarding system and ensure all data is securely retained in accordance with FA regulations, policies and data protection legislation.
• To manage all safeguarding poor practice concerns and complaints referred to the ESFA, with a focus on timeliness and outcomes and in line with FA policy, regulations and guidance.
• To provide training, support and guidance to the ESFA and its Members on how to manage safeguarding complaints and concerns effectively, with a focus on timeliness and outcomes and in line with FA policy, regulations and guidance.
• To use IT systems to monitor safeguarding compliance across the schools’ football volunteer network to manage risk and assist in strategic planning.
• To utilise insight and data to inform all compliance activity and take appropriate activity to address non-compliance.
• To ensure the ESFA is compliant with safeguarding legislation e.g. Data Protection/GDPR 2018, Children’s Act, Protection of Freedoms Act (Criminal Record Checks), the Government’s prevailing ‘Working Together’ guidance, prevailing ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance and any other legislation or statutory guidance that may be introduced.
• To identify, develop and maintain strong relationships with key safeguarding stakeholders.
• To strategically manage effective Association Safeguarding Officer networks; liaising with the Local Authority Designated Officers, Local Safeguarding Partnerships, Local Safeguarding Adult Boards, Children’s and Adults’ Social Care Services, Police Child Protection Teams and support Association Welfare Officers to be compliant with safeguarding legislation, FA safeguarding policy, best-practice guidance and education programmes.
• To manage a diverse workload being able to prioritise work according to risk and timeframes, providing regular updates to the line manager on progress against the work programme, targets and business plan priorities.
• To 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.
• To work with colleagues to address poor behaviour and raise standards in schools’ football, promoting fun and safe football environments and creating a culture that lives and celebrates safer working practice across the ESFA’s activity and schools’ football.
• To co-ordinate safeguarding support visits, parental engagements and Association health checks with Members to ensure they are compliant with the records they have submitted to the ESFA and to check on the culture and safeguarding practice.
• To co-ordinate and deliver or source CPD events for Association Safeguarding Officers.
• To ensure that any individual helping with any ESFA or ESFA Member event involving children is suitably DBS-checked, trained and understands their responsibilities at the event.
• To work with colleagues to embed safeguarding and equality throughout the ESFA and the schools’ football network.
• To provide the highest level of customer excellence to support volunteers across all FA Technology systems.
• To line manage National Safeguarding Manager.
• To execute tasks as required in order to meet the ESFA’s changing priorities.
• To support the Safeguarding Operations Group to deliver its responsibilities.
• To take responsibility for operational health and safety checks at ESFA headquarters.
• To fulfil the financial responsibilities of the role as prescribed in the Financial Regulations.
• To participate in training, development and appraisal processes necessary to fulfil the role.
• To support the ESFA Council to fulfil its responsibilities.
• To act with high standards of professionalism, business integrity and personal conduct at all times.
• To act as an ambassador for the ESFA in the conduct of all business.
• To comply with the requirements of the staff handbook.
• To use best endeavours to support others in the achievement of their objectives.
• To conduct any other duties as may reasonably be required by the employer.

SKILLS

Essential

• Effective leadership and management
• Practical experience of managing and quality assuring safeguarding procedures
• A child-centred approach and the ability to maintain this perspective and apply common sense.
• Clarity about what constitutes low-level concerns, poor practice and abuse and how to manage cases effectively.
• Ability to deal constructively with people’s emotions (e.g. upset, distress, conflict, animosity).
• Capacity to handle confidential data/information sensitively.
• Ability to promote safer practice and the importance of safe and fun football environments.
• Outstanding team-working skills.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Effective prioritisation and time-management skills.
• Competent in the use of IT, including Microsoft Office applications.
• A reflective practitioner with a focus on continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Effective presentation and facilitation skills.
• Ability to de-escalate heated and challenging situations.
• Experience of interviewing children and/or adults in relation to allegations.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Working towards agreed safeguarding standards
• Influencing the practice of others
• Knowledge of current safeguarding legislation, policy and practice relating to children and adults at risk.
• Experience of working in a designated safeguarding role.
• Experience of writing reports and compiling case related evidence and information.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of inclusion, equality and anti-discrimination.
• Working knowledge of the roles of statutory agencies in safeguarding children and adults at risk.
• Experience of implementing policies, protocols and guidance.
• Knowledge of the structure and partner organisations within football.

Desirable

• Knowledge of The FA’s Grassroots Football Strategy.
• Working knowledge of current FA systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of diverse faiths, communities and cultures.
• Understanding of the effects of various conditions that affect children such as, but not limited to, ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome.