Academy Safeguarding Officer

Sunderland AFC; Exeter; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunderland AFC is seeking a Designated Safeguarding Lead to join the Academy safeguarding team. You will provide guidance and practical support to staff, players, parents and host families, ensuring safeguarding is embedded in everyday practice.

You will coordinate referrals, risk assessments and safeguarding meetings, working evenings and weekends as required to protect young players both on and off the pitch.

Qualifications

• The candidate should demonstrate hands-on safeguarding experience and the ability to manage safeguarding concerns and disclosures.
• A background working directly with children or young people is essential.
• Excellent communication and understanding of safeguarding legislation and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted point of contact across the Academy, providing guidance, training and practical support on safeguarding.
• Shape a safe, positive, child-centred environment for young players and staff.
• Coordinate referrals, risk assessments and safeguarding meetings, ensuring appropriate support is in place.

Skills

Communication skills

Discretion

Professionalism

Flexibility

Safeguarding experience

Job description

About the Safeguarding Team:

Our dedicated team is committed to creating a secure and supportive environment, ensuring that everyone involved with our club feels safe and valued.

About the Safeguarding Team:

Our dedicated team is committed to creating a secure and supportive environment, ensuring that everyone involved with our club feels safe and valued.

At the Academy, we implement robust safeguarding policies tailored to protect our young athletes. We conduct regular risk assessments and provide tailored training for coaches and staff, focusing on recognising and addressing potential safeguarding concerns.

Working closely with other teams, we ensure that safeguarding measures are seamlessly integrated into all activities. Our aim is to protect our young talents so they can thrive on and off the pitch in a nurturing environment.

The Opportunity:

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference at the heart of Sunderland AFC’s Academy, helping protect and support young players as they develop on and off the pitch.

Working closely with the Head of Safeguarding, you’ll help shape a safe, positive and child‑centred environment where young people feel supported, listened to and able to thrive.

You’ll be a trusted point of contact across the Academy, providing guidance, training and practical support to staff, players, parents and host families, while helping ensure safeguarding is embedded in everyday practice.

From matchdays, tours and player workshops to referrals, risk assessments and safeguarding meetings, you’ll play a key role in making sure the right support is in place when it matters most.

It’s a varied and rewarding role for someone who brings confidence, care and professionalism, and who wants to contribute to a culture where every young person is protected, valued and given the best chance to succeed.

What We Ask For:

The ideal candidate will be Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) trained or willing to complete this training upon appointment. They should have undertaken recent safeguarding or child protection training and possess hands‑on experience in managing safeguarding concerns and disclosures. A background in working directly with children or young people is essential, along with a solid understanding of safeguarding legislation and procedures. The role requires someone with excellent communication skills, capable of engaging effectively with both young people and adults. A high degree of integrity, discretion, and professionalism is expected, and the ability to work flexibly, including during evenings and weekends, is essential.

While not mandatory, it would be advantageous for applicants to have experience within a football environment and to have completed FA Safeguarding Children or Welfare Officer training. Additional qualifications such as First Aid or Mental Health First Aid, as well as familiarity with FA, EFL, or Premier League safeguarding standards, would also be beneficial.

An Enhanced DBS from Sunderland AFC is required.