Academy Safeguarding Officer

We are looking for someone to join our team who will play a key role in implementing and evolving the Academy's approach to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk. You will also promote and support the provision of Safeguarding throughout the Academy

Key Accountabilities

• To implement, promote and review the Club's safeguarding policies, procedures, and best practice guidelines.
• To provide regular reports to senior management.
• To give direction and guidance to staff in respect of safeguarding concerns, allegations, and the Club's whistleblowing policy.
• To respond to poor practice concerns within the Club and its Academy in line with the safeguarding policy.
• To ensure all safeguarding and poor practice concerns are recorded in a robust system and securely retained in accordance with data protection legislation.
• To work in partnership and maintain effective relationships with statutory and football authorities, sharing information where appropriate to safeguard.
• To maintain accurate, confidential and up to date records on all safeguarding concerns and allegations in line with Applicable Data Protection Laws
• To attend regular safeguarding training and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and best practice.
• To ensure all staff/volunteers understand their individual responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable groups and respond appropriately to safeguardingconcerns.
• To ensure staff engage with regular safeguarding education to ensure they develop and maintain the necessary skills and knowledge to safeguard in their role.
• To address poor behaviour and raise standards in football, promote safeguarding and creating a culture that celebrates good practice across the Academy.
• To manage the transport scheduling and respond to concerns raised in relation to transporting Academy players.
• To co-ordinate safeguarding visits, spot checks/audits on club accommodation throughout the season.
• To arrange and deliver briefing workshops, in safeguarding topics such as anti-bullying, appropriate use of social media, code of conducts, to staff and players.
• To implement and contribute to the management Host Family programme within the academy, as well as management of the Host Family programme
• To work with welfare and safeguarding staff to ensure all players in Host Family accommodation are in safe and secure accommodation in line with DBS requirements and internal screening processes.
• To work with the Psychology department to maintain the Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing strategy.
• To support the Academy Induction, Transition & Exit strategy for all players.
• To ensure safeguarding and player welfare is always the primary consideration in all activities.
• To ensure all EPPP requirements are met and reviewed.

About The Candidate

The successful candidate will hold the FA Safeguarding Children or equivalent, have previous e xperience of Safeguarding and working with children and be w illing to undertake Continued Professional Development organised by Reading Football Club.

You will deliver the Host Family programme to a high standard in line with the Player accommodation and Safeguarding policy, and pro-actively promote and raise safeguarding awareness

About The Club

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Reading Football Club are committed to ensuring equal opportunities are given to all and welcomes applications from all areas of the community regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnerships

Safeguarding Statement

Reading Football Club recognises that the safety and protection of children and young people engaged in club activities must take priority over all other considerations. Due to this post being in regulated activity, the potential employee will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level. It is a criminal offence for a barred person to attempt to engage with vulnerable group. Engagement will be subject to sight of a satisfactory DBS disclosure and stringent background and reference checks