Academy Safeguarding Officer

Application Deadline: 28 September 2025

Department: Club - Safeguarding

Location: AFC Bournemouth Performance Centre, Wimborne

• Working with all connected to the Academy to create a positive, child-centred environment.
• Reporting directly to the Club’s Head of Safeguarding, providing regular updates on safeguarding concerns, compliance, and progression of the Club’s safeguarding strategy.
• Act as a source of safeguarding support, advice, and expertise for all within the Academy, raising safeguarding awareness to ensure staff understand their individual responsibilities.
• Advise on the implementation of the organisations safeguarding policies, procedures and promote within the Academy ensuring compliance.
• Continuously work to maintain, embed and improve safeguarding provision across the Academy.
• Closely work with the Head of Safeguarding, to ensure the Academy are adhering to and meeting the Safeguarding Standards and compliant with PGAAC and audit requirements.
• Proactively identify and mitigate safeguarding risks, by completing or contributing towards completion of, risk assessments and embedding this process across all Academy related activities. This includes trips, tours, and new initiatives- there may be requirement for overseas travel.
• Be the main point of contact for Academy players, parents and colleagues in reporting and managing concerns.
• Oversee the use of My Concern, effectively managing Academy related safeguarding, poor practice concerns and allegations maintaining accurate, confidential, up to date records.
• Under the direction of the Head of Safeguarding, liaise with, and report where necessary, to statutory (Police, LADO, Social Care) and other external bodies (The FA, The PL/EFL) in line with the Club’s policy and regulatory requirements.
• To support in the identification, development, and facilitation of safeguarding training including inductions to Academy staff, players and parents and assist in developing the Club’s training plan.
• Provide high visibility presence at training and fixtures, implementing quality assurance measures. There is an expectation this will include evenings and weekends.
• Support on the Host family provision; including but not limited to; recruitment, visits, DBS checks and training.
• To lead on ensuring that all staff hold required training qualifications and in-date DBS checks.
• Attend all Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings.
• To deputise for the Head of Safeguarding in their absence, which may include cover on Match Days. • Represent the Academy at internal and external meetings.
• Keep abreast of current safeguarding issues, legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice.
• Carry out other duties as may reasonably be required from time to time.
• As a member of staff to ensure in all matters, you follow and actively promote the club’s mental health policies and practices to ensure an open, non-judgmental and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.
• To contribute to the club’s safeguarding strategy and plans and then ensure these are shared with your staff and effectively implemented and progress regularly reviewed.
• Obligation to adhere to the club’s health and safety policy and procedures.
• As a member of staff to ensure in all matters you follow and actively promote the club’s equality policies and practices to ensure a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.

• Relevant Degree level qualification and / or substantial safeguarding experience.
• Experience working directly with young people and/or at-risk groups in a safeguarding capacity or within a safeguarding environment.
• Expert level of knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding issues, legislation, statutory guidance and best practice.
• Relevant safeguarding children training.
• Experience of managing and recording safeguarding concerns, incidents and allegations of poor practice.
• Experience of providing safeguarding advice and guidance to colleagues.
• Experience of working confidentiality, professionally and handling sensitive issues.
• Knowledge and experience of identifying, assessing and managing risk.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to form positive, professional relationships with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Be able to prioritise workload whilst being flexible to respond to unexpected or urgent issues.
• A commitment to continued professional development and willingness to undertake regular safeguarding refresher training.
• Able to complete a satisfactory Enhanced plus Barred DBS check.
• Local Safeguarding Children Board Level 3 Safeguarding Training (desirable)
• FA Safeguarding children qualification (desirable)
• Experience of working within Football or elite sport environment (desirable)
  
  

• Free onsite parking.
• Season ticket and allocation of complimentary/purchased tickets.
• Subsidised lunches and complimentary healthy snacks throughout the day.
• Discounts at the club Superstore.
• Access to Health Cash Plan with Simplyhealth.
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Contribution towards eye tests and glasses
• Discounts and benefits from partners and local businesses.
• Club pension & Life Assurance Scheme.
• Paid parental leave (bank of five days per year).
• Club events or other social events throughout the year run by our club social team.
• Paid volunteer opportunities (2 days per year).
• Paid day’s leave on your birthday.