Designated Safeguarding Officer
Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is one of the founder members of the English Football League and has a rich and varied history, including two First Division titles in 1972 and 1975 and an FA Cup success in 1946. The club are currently playing in the Sky Bet Champion-ship, the second tier of English Football following their promotion from League One in the 2023/24 season and is under the management of Head Coach Paul Warne. The club also boasts a successful and respected Category One Academy, a status which has been held since 2014, and a Women’s side competing in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division. Derby County recently embarked on an exciting new era following the change in ownership to Clowes Developments (UK) Limited, in the summer of 2022. Our track record of producing talent is outstanding, and we intend to protect that proud legacy, investing in key roles within the club to build on the foundations in place for success.
Our Academy vision is to continue to provide talented, well-balanced young professional footballers for Derby County's first-team squad and become recognised as the ‘Academy of Choice’ for young players within our local area and beyond. To do this, our mission is to identify, develop and support talented young footballers in order for them to achieve their maximum potential in a positive, supportive, and professional learning environment. The safety and well-being of children is paramount, and everyone working at our club knows that they have a duty of care to safeguard the welfare of children and young people by creating an environment that protects them from harm. Our 2022-23 Season PGAAC Barnardos inspection recognised our commitment to safeguarding, awarding us a rating of ‘Very Good’.
Derby County Football Club has an opportunity to join our team as Designated Safeguarding Officer, and we are looking for a safeguarding professional that is passionate about developing the safeguarding and well-being provision, in a positive and supportive way, within the Academy and at Pride Park Stadium on matchdays.
Key Responsibilities:
To ensure that appropriate policies and procedures relating to Safeguarding are in place, are reviewed annually (or when there are statutory or legislative changes) and ensure effective communication and implementation across the organisation. To ensure the Club’s compliance with statutory obligations under relevant legislation. To ensure that staff are appropriately trained regarding Safeguarding to the level required for their role within the Children’s workforce and the wider organisation. To ensure that everyone working at the Club knows they have a “Duty of Care” to safeguard the welfare of children and young people by creating an culture that protects them from harm, providing regular training, support and development. To collaborate with the Senior Safeguarding Manager and Head Of Life Long Learning in the planning, delivering, and reviewing regulatory compliance and effectiveness of care and accommodation arrangements. To select, monitor, coordinate, and track accommodation providers for the Academy, ensuring risk assessments are carried out and documented appropriately and to be the first point of contact for accommodation providers. To ensure accommodation providers' invoicing for payment is completed accurately and within appropriate timescales. To work closely with the Head of Academy Operations to ensure logistics plans are robust and fit for purpose, to monitor transport plans, ensure all consent forms and contracts are updated, and ensure all children are transported according to the Club policies and procedures. To work collaboratively with the Recruitment departments to ensure Academy players out on loan/trial, or loaned/on trial to the club, have appropriate risk assessments and safeguarding measures in place and are supported for the duration of the loan/trial. To work collaboratively with the Head of Operations to carry out risk assessments where required for Academy trips, tours and training camps within appropriate timescales. To provide initial and ongoing support and guidance to Academy players to ensure their integration into the Club is a positive and streamlined experience, providing ad-hoc practical support as necessary subject to Club policies and procedures. Work collaboratively with and report on a regular basis to the Senior Safeguarding Manager. Work collaboratively with the HR, Education departments, and senior managers to develop and implement safer recruitment and induction practices. Continuously work to maintain, embed, and improve the Club’s safeguarding provision ensuring the highest standards for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. To be the Designated Safeguarding Officer for First Team and Academy matchdays held at Pride Park Stadium, liaising with the Head of Stadium Operations and Disability Liaison Officer for safeguarding of young people and vulnerable adults. To organise, manage, and safeguard the Ball Retrieval Team for First Team matchdays at Pride Park Stadium, ensuring dynamic risk assessments are completed. To ensure appropriate, accurate and confidential record keeping in line with Data Protection Legislation. To Ensure that the Single Central Record is maintained. To ensure all relevant staff have an up to date DBS managed through the Know Your People platform. To be the named first point of contact for reporting and managing safeguarding concerns, incidents, or allegations. To provide direction and guidance to staff regarding safeguarding concerns, incidents, or allegations. To develop and maintain positive external relations with local Safeguarding Boards, Football Authorities, and other statutory organisations to share information where appropriate to safeguard vulnerable groups and to act as Chair at the club's Safeguarding Governance Group meetings. To attend regular safeguarding training and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and best practice. Support the safeguarding provision of DCFCW.
Personal characteristics and experience:
Up to-date Safeguarding knowledge and experience working with and supporting vulnerable groups. Knowledge and understanding of government strategy, legislation, guidance and plans for safeguarding. Knowledge and experience in identifying and managing risk. Excellent administration skills, including report writing. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to prioritise and manage own workload. Ability to work on own initiative. Work independently and as part of a team
Essential Qualifications
Relevant safeguarding/child protection qualification Minimum of 5 GSCEs (grade 4 or above) or equivalent
Competitive salary dependent on experience.
This is a full-time position working 35 hours per week. Due to the demands of a professional football environment, working evenings and weekends is required.
Everything we do as a Club is built around the three pillars of stability, integrity, and progress. Our core values are:
We are proud of who we are and what we do We are positive, inspired and passionate We are ambitious and driven We are prepared, honest and humble We are the heartbeat of our community We are the club of opportunity
Derby County employee benefits include:
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays Two complimentary staff season tickets Two complimentary staff away memberships 20% discount at DCFC Megastore Company Pension with Aviva Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors Healthshield Cash Health Plan to support employee health and well-being and Perks for great deals and discounts Participating in our employee forum, ‘The Herd’ Training and development opportunities Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm
Derby County Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
As part of the Club's commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people, applicants should be aware that this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check.
Derby County Football Club is an Inclusive Club for all and is committed to Equality and Diversity.
To apply for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found HERE.
Alternatively, please copy and paste - http://thera.ms/apply - to your chosen browser.
More information can be found at https://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/jobsandcareers
The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 05 January 2024. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early.
Strictly no agencies please.
Derby County Football Club’s Job Applicant Privacy Policy can be found at dcfc.co.uk.
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