Head of Academy Safeguarding

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• As a subject matter expert, you are responsible for ensuring you are conversant with relevant local and national legislation, policies and procedures and an awareness of best practice and using this to make changes and recommendations.
• To work closely with the departmental Designated Safeguarding Officers across the organisation to create a positive, child-centred, safe environment where the safeguarding ethos is embedded across all areas.
• To 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.
• Work with Human Resources to deliver and quality assure safer recruitment requirements, safeguarding inductions and training for staff.
• To work in accordance with the English Football League (EFL) and FA safeguarding standards and audited practices.
• Be the main point of contact for audit procedures (FA, EFL and any others as required).
• Triage and investigate where appropriate all reported safeguarding concerns, managing the caseload appropriately and ensuring records are clear and full and defensible decision making has been evidenced.
• Provide support and guidance to any member of staff who reports suspected abuse of a child or adult at risk.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and up-to-date documentation on all cases of safeguarding and child protection and report where required in line with GDPR regulations. Reports will need to be presented to the Senior Safeguarding Manager on a monthly basis and quarterly at board meetings.
• Ensure that all policies relating to safeguarding and welfare are reviewed, then approved by the Board at least annually or as required due to a change in legislation or practice.
• Provide advice and support to all staff, volunteers and associates of the organisation in relation to safeguarding concerns and queries.
• Manage the electronic case management system, CPOMS, for all staff's recording and tracking of concerns and allegations pertaining to the safety and welfare of children.
• Attend internal and external meetings as required to ensure safeguarding is consistently championed and reviewed.
• Be the main point of contact and provide expert advice for all Rotherham United Academy safeguarding concerns for internal and external individuals and agencies.
• Report, refer, signpost and work closely with external agencies including LADO, EFL, FA all concerns/incidents as necessary and where appropriate in accordance with standards and policies relating to child protection and/or poor practice.
• Be responsible for updating and reviewing the safeguarding sections of the Single Central Record (SCR). Including, DBS checks via FADV, personnel risk assessments and mandatory safeguarding training requirements.
• Support Player Care Lead in escalations and with scholar accommodation.
• To collect stakeholder voice around safeguarding and welfare and plan accordingly.
• To support the Rotherham United values, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and our Safeguarding policies in every aspect of your work and positively promote the principles of these policies amongst colleagues, stakeholders, service users and other members of the community.
• To represent Rotherham United Academy at external multi agency safeguarding meetings, creating new links with external statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Confidentiality is important within our business, understanding the need for boundaries and privacy is paramount and where safeguarding is not required GDPR policies must be adhered to.
• To make sure that your own knowledge, skills and training remain up-to-date.

• At least 2 years experience of working in safeguarding and/or a child or adult protection related role.
• Experience of implementing and reviewing safeguarding policy and procedures.
• Evidence of promoting good practice, continuous improvement, and management of safeguarding concerns.
• A working knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding legislation, guidance, best practice, and policies in respect of the welfare of Children.
• The ability to create and deliver training across different departments and engage key stakeholders internally and externally to the Club.
• Significant experience of managing and investigating staff safeguarding allegations.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding legislation, guidance regulations and best practise Rotherham Safeguarding Children's Partnership arrangements.
• Experience of working in a sporting environment desirable but not essential.
• Willingness to work unsociable hours as and when required (including evenings, weekends).
• Full UK driving licence or ability to travel to various locations, due to the demands of the role.

• Educated to level 4 or above.
• Level 3/4 qualification in…