Job description:

•Operationally lead the implementation and delivery of safeguarding within Bedfordshire Football Association, being accountable for relevant areas of The FA’s Safeguarding 365 operating standard for County FAs.
•Track and ensure ongoing compliance with The FA’s Safeguarding 365 operating standard for County FAs measures, policies and procedures.
•Support the Senior Management Team and take a dynamic and strategic approach to safeguarding delivery within the Bedfordshire Football Association, raising awareness and providing organisational support and direction to colleagues.
•Work with the Chief Executive Officer to provide the Board with regular reports on safeguarding activity within the Bedfordshire Football Association

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Work with The FA Safeguarding Case Management Team (FA SCMT) to refer child abuse and adults at risk concerns to The FA, acting in line with the relevant FA safeguarding policy, regulations and guidance.
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Record all safeguarding concerns on The FA CLUE system and ensure all data is securely retained in accordance with FA regulations, policies and data protection legislation.
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Manage all safeguarding poor practice concerns and complaints referred to the Bedfordshire Football Association, with a focus on timeliness and outcomes and in line with FA policy, regulations and guidance.
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Update The FA's Behaviour Improvement Programme smartsheet and monitor patterns of poor behaviour to identify teams that require additional interventions.
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Co-ordinate safeguarding visits, spot checks/audits on clubs throughout the season to ensure they are compliant with the records they have submitted to the Bedfordshire Football Association and to check on the culture and safeguarding practice.
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Support the Football Services team to implement and deliver initiatives from The FA where appropriate.
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Provide training, support and guidance to clubs and leagues on how to manage safeguarding complaints and concerns effectively, with a focus on timeliness and outcomes in line with FA policy, regulations and guidance.
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Working in conjunction with The FA's National Safeguarding Team Shared Service & FA IT systems to monitor safeguarding compliance across the grassroots network to manage risk and assist in strategic planning.
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Utilise insight and data to inform all compliance activity and take appropriate action to address non-compliance.
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Ensure the Bedfordshire Football Association is compliant with safeguarding legislation e.g. Data Protection / GDPR 2018, Children’s Act, Protection of Freedoms Act (Criminal Record Checks), the Government’s ‘Working Together guidance 2018’ and any other legislation or statutory guidance that may be introduced.
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Identify, develop and maintain strong relationships with key local safeguarding stakeholders by liaising with the Local Authority Designated Officers, Local Safeguarding Partnerships, Local Safeguarding Adult Boards, Children’s and Adults’ Social Care Services and Police Child Protection Teams.
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Strategically manage the Club Welfare Officer network by supporting them to be compliant with safeguarding legislation, FA safeguarding policy, best-practice guidance and education programmes.
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Co-ordinate and deliver CPD events for Club and League Welfare Officers.
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Manage a diverse workload and prioritise work according to risk and timeframes, providing regular updates to the line manager on progress against the work programme and Performance Development Review.
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Maintain strong links with key FA staff and attend national & regional FA safeguarding events, alongside bi-weekly online catch-up sessions and CPD courses so that knowledge and skills are current and up to date.
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Work with colleagues to promote fun and safe football environments, creating a culture that lives and celebrates safer working practice across Bedfordshire Football Association’s activities and grassroots football.
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Work with Football Development colleagues to help support the club & league accreditation process.
•Work with colleagues to embed safeguarding and equality throughout grassroots football in Bedfordshire by supporting leagues and clubs with England Football Accreditation.
•Ensure that any individual helping with any Bedfordshire Football Association event involving children and adults at risk is suitably DBS-checked, trained and understand their responsibilities at the event.
•Act as League Welfare Officer for the Bedfordshire FA Girls Football League and as a Welfare Officer to the Bedfordshire FA Girls Emerging Talent Centre & Girls Development Centre.
•Provide the highest level of customer excellence to support volunteers across all FA Technology systems.
•Execute tasks as required in order to meet the Bedfordshire Football Association's changing priorities.
•To support the Football Education Programmes.