Academy Designated Safeguarding Officer

Job purpose

The Club is seeking an exceptional individual to take up this challenging role. This is a key appointment for the Club, and we are therefore seeking a qualified and experienced person, who displays outstanding communication and organisational skills alongside attention to detail and the flexibility and resilience to manage diverse and conflicting demands.

The person will be responsible for ensuring that safeguarding is truly embedded within the Club, specifically the Academy and creating a culture where everyone feels valued, safe, and supported.

Main duties and Key Tasks

• Work closely with the Head of Safeguarding to ensure the Club’s compliance with statutory obligations under the relevant legislation and the adherence to the rules and regulations surrounding safeguarding as laid down by the relevant governing bodies under which the Club is bound.
• Continuously work to maintain, embed, and improve the Club’s safeguarding provision across the Academy whilst ensuring the highest standards for safeguarding vulnerable groups, policies, practices and good practice guidelines
• Support staff to respond appropriately to concerns about the welfare or safety of vulnerable groups
• Work closely with the Academy Player Care Manager to ensure host families are all risk assessed in line with statutory regulations and following best practice in their delivery of the service.
• Conduct risk assessments for all extra-curricular activities including trips, tours, and tournaments.
• Facilitate parent workshops providing education and resources for key safeguarding matters.
• Work closely with the Head of Safeguarding and the Academy Manger to actively promote and implement the Clubs Safeguarding policies within the Academy.
• Utilise the CPOMS online platform and case manage each appropriate report.
• Produce a monthly report to the Head of Safeguarding regarding all Academy safeguarding concerns and actions.
• Be a visible, accessible, and approachable safeguarding presence for the Club’s parents and players across the Academy training schedule and games programme.
• To be responsible for staff compliance to the Safer Recruitment Policy and the requirements of the Workforce Development Plan. This includes the verification of applications to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
• To attend all Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings
• To attend Safeguarding Team meetings as designated by the Head of Safeguarding
• To help with gathering evidence to support internal and external audits and striving to align delivery against the English Football League’s Safeguarding Standards.
• To assist in the monitoring, compliance, and training for the safeguarding provisions of the Emerging Talent Centres.
• To ensure all Academy transport arrangements are managed safely by ensuring all safeguarding principles are considered.
• To deputise for the Head of Safeguarding as Designated Safeguarding Lead for all Cardiff City Stadium events and matches.