At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the Swim England Board to enhance safeguarding culture and governance.
- Company: Swim England, the national governing body for aquatic sports in England.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in a strategic role while supporting community wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in ensuring safe and enjoyable aquatic experiences for all.
- Qualifications: Extensive safeguarding expertise and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Voluntary role with flexible commitment of 1-2 days per month.
About Us
Swim England is the recognised national governing body for swimming, artistic swimming, diving and water polo in England. We help people learn how to swim, enjoy the water safely, and maximise their potential in aquatic sport at every level — from community participation to world-class performance. We work with clubs, coaches, teachers and volunteers across the country to create safe, inclusive and inspiring aquatic environments. As a membership organisation and charity, we are committed to supporting the growth of our sports, promoting physical and mental wellbeing, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a lifelong love of the water.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and insightful Non-Executive Director (Safeguarding) to join the Swim England Board. This strategic leadership role is central to shaping and strengthening safeguarding culture, governance and assurance across the organisation. As a member of our Board, you will provide inclusive, values-led oversight and guidance, bringing specialist safeguarding expertise to help ensure safe, enjoyable and positive experiences for everyone in aquatics. You will support proportionate, evidence-based decision making, help the Board understand safeguarding risks and opportunities, and contribute to continuous improvement in systems, culture and frameworks. This is a voluntary, governance-level position suited to individuals with substantial safeguarding expertise and a commitment to Swim England’s vision of great experiences in water, for all, for life.
Key Responsibilities
- Act in the best interests of Swim England with honesty, integrity and good faith.
- Serve as an ambassador for One Swim England and its vision and values.
- Provide strategic safeguarding and welfare insight to inform evidence-based decisions.
- Support continuous improvement in safeguarding culture, systems, policy frameworks and assurance.
- Advise the Board on safeguarding risk, emerging practice, sector standards and expectations.
- Participate in working groups, advisory meetings or reviews where specialist input is required.
- Contribute to an inclusive, collaborative and effective Board environment.
- Champion and role‑model Swim England’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.
Skills and Experience
Essential- Extensive senior-level safeguarding expertise, ideally in sport, education or another regulated sector.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, statutory frameworks and learning-based best practice.
- Understanding of the legal duties and liabilities of corporate and charity Directors.
- Open-minded, with the ability to listen, consider diverse perspectives and constructively challenge.
- Excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills across varied audiences.
- Strong judgement, integrity, intellectual curiosity and evidence-informed decision-making capability.
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and alignment with Swim England’s purpose and values.
- Knowledge of, or enthusiasm for, aquatic and membership sports.
Terms of Engagement
Approximately 1–2 days per month, including Board meetings and occasional working group involvement. This is an unpaid voluntary role. Travel and accommodation expenses are reimbursed in line with Swim England policy.
If you feel you have the suitable skills and attributes for this position then we would love to read your application, detailing how you meet the brief, and how you believe you’re the right candidate for this opportunity.
Swim England is committed to inclusion and embracing the spirit of all equalities legislation. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled people. We recognise that the diversity of our workforce is not reflective of today’s society and we are currently operating a pilot scheme whereby applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds can opt into our guaranteed interview scheme. Candidates that have opted into the scheme will be guaranteed an interview provided that they have demonstrated, within their application, that they meet the essential criteria for the role.
Swim England is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Non-Executive Director - Safeguarding in Loughborough employer: Swim England
Contact Detail:
Swim England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Non-Executive Director - Safeguarding in Loughborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the safeguarding and sports sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars where you can meet people who might know about opportunities at Swim England or similar organisations.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for aquatics! When you get the chance to chat with someone from Swim England, share your enthusiasm for swimming and safeguarding. Let them know why you care about creating safe environments in aquatic sports.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on safeguarding legislation and best practices. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with Swim England’s values and how you can contribute to their mission of promoting safety and inclusion.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Swim England team and making a difference in the aquatic community.
We think you need these skills to ace Non-Executive Director - Safeguarding in Loughborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you and how your experiences align with our values at Swim England. Don’t be afraid to share your passion for safeguarding and aquatics.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your extensive safeguarding expertise and how it relates to the responsibilities of a Non-Executive Director. We love seeing how your unique skills can contribute to our mission!
Showcase Your Commitment to Inclusion: As a Disability Confident Employer, we value diversity and inclusion. In your application, mention any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been involved in that demonstrate your commitment to these principles. It’s all about creating a welcoming environment for everyone!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us smoothly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to make your application stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Swim England
✨Know Your Safeguarding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your safeguarding knowledge before the interview. Understand the latest legislation, best practices, and how they apply to the sports sector. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're the right fit for the Non-Executive Director role.
✨Show Your Passion for Aquatics
Swim England is all about promoting a love for water sports. Share your enthusiasm for swimming and other aquatic activities during the interview. Talk about any personal experiences or insights you have that align with their mission, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific safeguarding scenarios. Think through potential challenges and how you would approach them, using evidence-based decision-making. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to provide valuable insight to the Board.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity and Diversity
Swim England values diversity and inclusion, so be ready to discuss how you can contribute to this culture. Share examples from your past experiences where you've championed inclusivity or worked with diverse groups. This will highlight your alignment with their values and commitment to creating a positive environment.