Safeguarding Officer

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club; Enfield; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is seeking a dedicated Safeguarding Officer to support welfare and development of academy players aged 14-18, across North London. You will lead safeguarding activities, coordinate host families, and ensure compliance with club and safeguarding standards.

The role requires strong communication, training capability, and extensive collaboration with staff, families and local authorities. Training provided, with DBS checks and Safer Recruitment processes in place.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Designated Safeguarding Officer and child protection training (or willingness to undertake).
• Knowledge of safeguarding practices, legislation and confidentiality protocols.
• Experience in welfare, education, social care, or community work with young people.

Responsibilities

• Support safeguarding case management across age groups under the Senior Safeguarding Manager.
• Coordinate host family recruitment, induction, DBS checks and welfare visits.
• Develop training and guidance documents for parents, players and host families.
• Provide out-of-hours safeguarding support to players, families and staff.

Skills

Safeguarding practices

Communication

Training delivery

Organisational skills

Stakeholder liaison

Problem solving

Education

Level 3 Designated Safeguarding Officer training

Tools

MS Office

Databases

Email

Job description

Founded in 1882, Tottenham Hotspur is an iconic English football club, playing in the Premier League and Women’s Super League. From North London to the world, our fanbase spans continents, cultures, and generations. Spurs is a club that’s always dared to push boundaries, breaking new ground and rewriting history.

We are at our brightest when we’re all together. Our club, our teams, our community. We are entering a new era at Tottenham with a new club strategy, new leadership, and a focus on putting our fans at the heart of everything we do as we continue to strengthen our connection with our DNA, our home, and each other.

We’re at our brightest when we’re all together. Our Club, our teams, our community.

The Role

The Safeguarding Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the welfare and development of young footballers within Tottenham Hotspur's Academy system. This position supports the delivery of proactive and preventative safeguarding measures, in addition to supporting children, parents and staff when safeguarding concerns arise. Under the direction of the Senior Safeguarding manager, the role includes education, collaboration and support for all stakeholders.

The Safeguarding Officer also leads and coordinates the Host Family provision; supporting players aged 14-18 across and girl’s and boy’s academy with accessing high quality accommodation across North London. This element of the role combines social care, pastoral care, and programme management to create a comprehensive support network for emerging talent in the training centre.

Key Responsibilities

Safeguarding Support & Welfare

• As directed, support the Senior Safeguarding Manager with case management across all age groups
• Attend parent/player meetings and support with updating records on my concern when necessary
• Support the Senior Safeguarding Manager with coordinating the DSO network
• Contribute to quarterly meetings, deputising chair in absence of Senior Safeguarding Manager
• Support with the agenda and training needs
• Support with pre-visit risk assessments of trips and tours, attend trips and tours as required
• Develop and deliver training and guidance documents for parents, players and host families
• Provide out of hours support contact for both players, parents and host families in a flexible manner

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Represent the safeguarding team across the Training Centre by attending meetings including MDT’s and parent/player meetings
• Point of contact for all staff for safeguarding advice and guidance
• Liaise and maintain relationships with local authorities, housing services, and community organisations

Host Family Management

• Be the main pastoral point of contact for players in host families and conduct regular welfare checks through announced and unannounced visits, phone calls, and informal check-ins
• Develop and implement recruitment campaigns to identify, recruit ad screen potential host families within the North London area ensuring compliance with Club, Premier League and safeguarding standards
• Arrange and coordinate inductions including safeguarding inductions, for all host families an annual basis and additional sessions as part of the onboarding process
• Collate and review applicant information and present findings to the Pastoral for informed decisions to be made about Host suitability
• Coordinate and monitor DBS checks, reference verifications, and local authority checks
• Conduct thorough home visits and environmental assessments to ensure accommodation meets Club standards

Placement and Matching

• Assess individual player needs, preferences, and cultural requirements to ensure optimal host family matches
• Facilitate introduction meetings between players and prospective host families
• Develop comprehensive placement agreements outlining expectations, responsibilities, and support structures for both players and host families
• Create detailed accommodation plans for new placements, review placements through regular visits and season annual review

Administrative & Compliance

• Maintain comprehensive records of all host family interactions, placements, and welfare checks
• Ensure all documentation meets Club policies, regulatory and statutory requirements
• Prepare regular reports for the Safeguarding Board on placements, risks, themes and program effectivenessLiaise with the Head of Safeguarding on budget requirements for training materials, communication channels and support resources
• When necessary, manage the termination of host family contracts, with support from Legal Department
• Maintain and update records of safeguarding concerns on my concern

General

• To act as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (training provided)
• To act as a Youth Mental Health First Aider (training provided)

Person Specification

• Level 3 Designated Safeguarding Officer and child protection training (or willingness to undertake)
• Knowledge of safeguarding practices and legislation
• Familiarity with administrative processes and confidentiality protocols
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving abilities
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse backgrounds
• Commitment to safeguarding children and young people
• High levels of enthusiasm, energy, and positivity
• Experience working with young people and/or families in a welfare, education, social care, or community role
• Experience of networking and working collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders as part of a child-centred approach
• Experience managing relationships with external partners or stakeholders
• Competent in basic IT systems (e.g., MS Office, databases, email)
• Knowledge and experience of the EPPP, PGAAC and PLYD rules in relation to Education, Player Care and Safeguarding
• Experience in marketing or outreach
• Leadership potential or experience in supervisory roles
• Knowledge of the local area and community
• Previous experience in sports, education, or welfare settings
• Experience organising and coordinating services or programs

Safeguarding & Recruitment Statement

Safeguarding is fundamental to the success in all that we do. The Club follows a Safer Recruitment process for all roles. Successful candidates are to be reminded they would be subject to proportionate background, DBS and reference checks as required for this role.

We welcome applications from anyone regardless of age, disability, gender, race, or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and will make reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application or interview process to support candidates with disabilities or specific needs. Please let us know if you require any adjustments so that we can ensure you have a fair and positive experience.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications or due to business needs, so early applications are encouraged.