Main Purpose
The designated person will have primary responsibility for managing and reporting safeguarding concerns and for putting in place and monitoring policies, procedures and daily practice to safeguard children and adults at risk in the Organisation.
As DSO you will be expected to ensure and maintain a safe environment for all children, young people, and vulnerable adults, working cohesively with all departments and Club Stakeholders.
Ensuring that the EFL safeguarding standards are met and maintained.
Main Duties:
- To play a lead role in developing and establishing the Club’s approach to safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risks.
- As a subject matter expert, ensure up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and procedures and an awareness of best practice externally and using this to make changes and recommendations.
- Work closely with the departmental heads across the organisation to create a positive, child-centred, safe environment.
- Develop, implement and review safeguarding policies and processes to ensure they meet legislation, guidance and are relevant.
- Co-ordinate the dissemination of policy, procedures and awareness throughout the organisation.
- To report and refer child protection and/or poor practice complaints in line with club policies and further guidance as advised by The English Football League and The Football Association.
- Work in accordance with the English Football League (EFL) and/or The FA safeguarding standards and audited practices.
- Be the main point of contact for audit procedures (FA, EFL, Barnardo’s and any others as required).
- Work closely with the Academy staff to ensure the safeguarding ethos is embedded and support with player care and scholar accommodation.
- To refer criminal record disclosures to the DBS Service in line with legal obligations.
- To manage any complaints about poor practice in line with the Club’s safeguarding complaints procedure.
- To maintain accurate, confidential, and up to date documentation on all incidents relating to the welfare of any child, young person, or adult at risk within SWFC. Reporting where required in line with GDPR regulations.
- To ensure all staff/volunteers working with children, young people, and adults at risk in “regulated activity” have an enhanced DBS/CRC clearance to be able to work in football.
- To ensure staff have the appropriate safeguarding training in place for their role.
- To deliver refresher safeguarding training to all staff in the Academy as needed and on a yearly basis.
- Ensure that all policies relating to safeguarding and welfare are signed off by the Board annually or when required due to a change in legislation or practice
- Play a lead role in developing and establishing the organisation’s approach to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk.
- Ensure that the EFL safeguarding standards are met and maintained.
- To ensure SWFC has in place appropriate policies and procedures for identifying, responding to, and reporting any concerns or disclosures of abuse.
- To disseminate to all staff working with children, young people and adults at risk, all up-to-date legislative and good practice requirements in relation to safeguarding children.
- To liaise with parents and authorities in respect of any Safeguarding complaints.
- To play a key role in liaising on behalf of the Club with The English Football League (EFL) the Football Association (FA), the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Local Authority Social Services, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), the Police Service and voluntary bodies to safeguard any children, young people or adults at risk.
- Record, manage and investigate all reported safeguarding concerns, managing the caseload appropriately
- To respond to requests from the EFL and FA relating to safeguarding matters
- To facilitate or undertake induction training and other safeguarding training as required and keep a record of staff development in this connection.
- To ensure SWFC Single Central Record (SCR) is maintained and accurately records compliant information regarding staff DBS and Safeguarding.
- To work with HR around new staters and leavers within SWFC in ensuring safer recruitment practices.
- To deal with and monitor all occurrences of poor practice in safeguarding matters, reporting these as required and keeping appropriate records.
- To represent SWFC at appropriate training delivered by the FA and EFL and other agencies concerning safeguarding matters to ensure continued development.
- To take a lead role in raising knowledge and information on safeguarding matters both within SWFC and with external agencies.
- Undertake relevant training and demonstrate professional development.
- To be aware of all safeguarding concerns and referrals arising from SWFC activities and to act as the SWFC referral officer, having ensured that any incident has been discussed firstly with the SSM, in relation to the partnership/external bodies listed above plus any other organisations as required.
- To Chair or attend safeguarding meetings.
- Communication Strategy: Develop and execute a communication strategy to keep stakeholders informed about safeguarding updates, policies, and procedures.
- Partnership with Youth Organizations: Collaborate with local youth organizations to ensure alignment of safeguarding practices and share best practices in youth development.
- Monitoring Safeguarding Trends: Stay informed about current trends, issues, and developments in safeguarding, both within football and in broader society.
- Collaboration with Academy Coaches: Work closely with academy coaches to integrate safeguarding principles into coaching practices and ensure the well-being of young players.
- Mental Health Support: Collaborate with mental health professionals to provide support and resources for players and staff dealing with mental health challenges.
- Inclusive Safeguarding: Ensure that safeguarding practices are inclusive and considerate of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and abilities.
- Emergency Response Planning: Develop and maintain emergency response plans for safeguarding incidents, outlining clear steps for immediate action.
- Awareness Campaigns: Develop and implement awareness campaigns to promote a culture of safeguarding within the football club, reaching players, parents, and other stakeholders.
- Risk Assessments: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify and address potential safeguarding risks within the club's activities and facilities.
- Community Engagement: Engage with the local community to promote awareness of the football club's commitment to safeguarding and encourage community involvement.
- Confidentiality Maintenance: Maintain strict confidentiality regarding safeguarding cases while ensuring information is appropriately shared with relevant authorities as required.
- To support the values, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and Safeguarding policies in every aspect of work and positively promote the principles of these policies amongst colleagues, stakeholders, service users and other members of the community.
- To provide Safeguarding reports to the SSM as per the Club policy and in line with the EFL standards, who will then advise the Board on policy and all Safeguarding matters.
- To work all home games as point of contact for Safeguarding concerns
Other Duties
- Whilst relevant guidance will be available, a high level of initiative, decision-making and discretion will need to be demonstrated in the performance of duties.
- To ensure all duties and services provided are in accordance with health and safety requirements in the workplace. To comply with individual responsibilities, in accordance with the role, for health and safety in the workplace.
- Adhere to SWFC policies and procedures.
- To professionally represent SWFC at all times.