Safeguarding Case Officer

The FA; Burton upon Trent; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Free private medical cover

Contributory pension scheme

25 days annual leave

Job summary

The FA is seeking a diligent safeguarding professional to manage investigations and risk assessments related to individuals who may pose a risk to children and adults at risk. You will work with FA policies, prepare detailed reports, and liaise with counties, clubs and statutory bodies to ensure timely information sharing.

Role requires DBS compliance, ongoing professional development, and a flexible approach to hours and travel.

Qualifications

• BA/MA in Social Work or equivalent with relevant degree or law knowledge.
• Minimum 3 years frontline child protection experience and risk assessment.
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and best practice.
• Child-centered approach and understanding of children's rights.
• Excellent report writing including risk assessments.
• Discretion handling sensitive information.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Flexible hours and travel.
• Evidence of ongoing training and development.
• Emotional resilience.
• Knowledge of child protection legislation and guidance.

Responsibilities

• Undertake investigations into allegations or concerns in football.
• Complete risk assessments and recommend risk management plans.
• Prepare reports for Safeguarding Review Panel and orders under FA Regulations.
• Progress cases within FA timescales and Practice Standards.
• Keep case files up to date on FA Case Management system.
• Liaise with County FAs, clubs, leagues and statutory agencies.
• Engage with individuals subject to safeguarding investigations.
• Ensure FA fulfils its legal duties under the Protection of Freedoms Act and DBS processes.

Education

BA/MA in Social Work, Police Officer or related

Child protection experience

Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks

Child-centred approach

Excellent report writing

Discretion with sensitive information

Microsoft Office proficiency

Flexible hours and travel

Ongoing professional development

Emotional resilience

Knowledge of child protection legislation

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are seeking a diligent and principled professional to play a key role in safeguarding within affiliated football. This role is responsible for investigating and assessing all allegations and concerns relating to individuals who may pose a risk to children and adults at risk, and for implementing appropriate risk management plans where required to ensure the safety and well‑being of all participants.

What will you be doing?

Manage caseload efficiently and effectively in line with The FA policies, procedures, regulations, protocols and thresholds:

• Undertake investigations in respect of allegations or concerns made against individuals within, or seeking to enter, football.
• Complete risk assessments and, where appropriate, recommend a risk management plan to the Safeguarding Case Manager, Professional Game Safeguarding Manager, Safeguarding Quality Assurance Manager or Head of Safeguarding Case Management.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and paperwork for consideration by the Safeguarding Review Panel for cases which require an order in accordance with The FA's Safeguarding Regulations.
• Progress cases to their full conclusion within the timescales stipulated by The FA and in adherence to The FA Safeguarding Case Management Team's Practice Standards.
• Keep all case files up to date by accurately and consistently recording actions taken on cases using The FA's Case Management system, in line with FA Data Protection Policies and protocols and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Code of Practice.
• Liaise with County FAs, Clubs, Leagues and other FA departments as well as statutory agencies throughout safeguarding investigations to ensure timely information sharing and inform The FA's assessment of risk.
• Liaise regularly with Individuals subject to safeguarding investigations to support their understanding of and engagement with the process.
• Ensure the FA fulfils its legal duties under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, including referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Other:

• Work collaboratively with colleagues within The FA Group and external agencies, e.g. County FAs, the professional game, statutory agencies, Local Authority Designated Officers and other statutory agencies.
• Work with and support the network of Designated Safeguarding Officers in football and contribute to regional County FA meetings, and assist in the delivery of training, where required, at a regional or national level.
• Self-reflect on performance, ask for feedback, identify relevant learning needs, attend and effectively prepare for regular supervision and relevant management meetings.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding practice, taking accountability for ongoing professional development.
• Executes additional tasks as required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure that the highest standards of health, safety, and well‑being can be maintained.
• As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

What are we looking for?

Essential for the role

• BA/MA in Social Work, Police Officer (with relevant Child Protection experience), Youth Offending Officer or Probation Officer with a relevant degree or a lawyer experienced in child & family law.
• A minimum of 3 years' experience in front-line child protection intervention and/or risk assessment of adult perpetrators, and application of risk assessment tools.
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and best practice.
• Evidence of a child-centred approach and an understanding of children's rights, needs and best interests.
• Excellent report writing skills, including risk assessments, risk management report writing and analysis of risk.
• Experience in handling sensitive information with discretion.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Flexible approach to hours and travel.
• Evidence of continuous training and development.
• Emotional resilience.
• Knowledge of relevant child protection legislation and statutory guidance.

Beneficial to have:

• Experience working in a regulatory environment.
• Knowledge of the structure of affiliated football
• Knowledge of mental well‑being strategies and managing cases in relation to adults at risk.

Important note to candidates

Please be advised that due to logistical and availability reasons, we can confirm that the interview date will be the 9th of December. We are unable to move these dates or offer any alternatives on this occasion.

What's in it for you?

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles. To achieve this, we have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English Football. We are also delighted to offer a world‑class, Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire, which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high‑performing England teams and leaders.

We pride ourselves on offering a competitive salary as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. But that is not all; we also have a range of exciting benefits, some of which can be found below:

• Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encourages you to connect and learn with your colleagues and look after your mental health and well‑being.
• Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
• Free private medical cover.
• A contributory pension scheme.
• An additional 'Thank You' day's leave, volunteering days, as well as 25 days of annual leave (based on a full-time, permanent contract)
• A hybrid working model which offers greater flexibility.