Designated Safeguarding Officer

We have an exciting opportunity to work as a Designated Safeguarding Officer in Bristol City Robins Foundation. The DSO will be responsible for safeguarding everyone entrusted to our care, including children, vulnerable adults, and staff. Our work with children, young people, and adults takes many forms and reaches many people across many different programmes and projects.

•  Do you have experience working in safeguarding and child protection?
•  Are you comfortable and credible in dealing with safeguarding concerns?
•  Are you creative, flexible and committed to working within a fast-paced environment?
•  Do you want to become a pivotal player in leading, promoting, and managing the development, implementation, and maintenance of appropriate safeguarding policies, good practice, training, and reporting?

If so, we would like to talk to you…

Bristol City Robins Foundation is a registered charity striving to make a positive difference through sport and learning. We recognise the positive impact on the community, but are continually looking to develop and expand our reach.

We require a full-time Designated Safeguarding Officer who will work across the Foundation and report directly to the Chief Community Officer.

The DSO is responsible for safeguarding everyone connected to the Foundation. This includes handling cases, reviewing policies, delivering training, and monitoring processes for every programme.

Your Main Responsibilities:

• Be the first point of contact for staff, volunteers, parents, children and adults at risk where concerns about children’s welfare, poor practice or abuse are identified.
• Record and update all incidents, concerns, allegations, and evidence of poor practice via MyConcern/CPOMS, ensuring that external agencies are informed where necessary.
• To provide safeguarding management for the Foundation,n which effectively implements the Foundation’s Safeguarding strategies and policies.
• To act as the Foundation’s Safeguarding Officer in accordance with the EFL Trust’s Rules/Standards, other funding bodies and the Charity Commission, providing safeguarding advice and guidance.
• To deliver safeguarding inductions for all Foundation staff and volunteers in line with the Safeguarding Policy and in conjunction with SSO.
• To collaborate with the Club Senior Safeguarding Manager SSO and keep them informed of any serious concerns that may result in reputational damage and ensure they are referred to Charities Commission, Local Authority, Police etc.

You will have:

• A safeguarding or welfare degree level/professional qualification or other relevant safeguarding education and experience is essential.
• Experience in safeguarding training/education development, delivery and evaluation specific to individual roles and responsibilities within a comparable organisation. (Essential)
• Ability to recognise and challenge inappropriate behaviour and poor practice. (Essential)
• Strong commitment and passion for safeguarding children and adults at risk (Essential)

We would also like you to have:

• Ability to communicate effectively, clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing with colleagues, participants, vulnerable groups and their parents/carers. (Essential)
• Excellent organisational and planning skills (Essential)
• Absolute attention to detail (Essential)
• Discretion and keeping sensitive information confidential, sharing information where appropriate. (Essential)
• Ability to record, handle and store clear and comprehensive records and information in line with relevant legislation. (Essential)

Safeguarding Statement

The Robins Foundation is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment.

Equality Statement

The successful candidate must ensure a positive commitment to equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation, or harassment of any description. The candidate must also promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave increasing to 28 days (pro rata) after 5 years employment (plus bank holidays and Christmas closure days)
• 5 days paid leave to volunteer at a charity of your choice
• Pension scheme
• Employee Assist Programme
• Generous CPD budget
• Free Eye Test
• Free Flu Jabs
• Work equipment (BCFC clothing, laptop, phone)
• 2 x Bristol City and Bristol Bears tickets to home league games
• 20% discount in the Bristol Sport store
• The chance to be part of an incredible journey

Notes

This position is full time (37.5 hours per week), and we would like the successful candidate to start ASAP. Candidates must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends. There will be an opportunity to manage your work programme. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.