Girls’ Academy & Women’s Football Wellbeing Officer (full time)

Reporting directly to the Safeguarding Manager, the Girl’s Academy & Women’s Football Wellbeing Officer will be responsible for supporting the wellbeing of children and young women throughout the Girls’ Academy and Women’s Football. The successful applicant will have shared responsibility for managing and reporting concerns, while maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders within the Club and externally with the SFA, Disclosure Scotland and other partners.

Key accountabilities will include:

• Alongside Girls’ Academy, Women’s Football and Safeguarding staff, be responsible for educational and wellbeing support
• Play a lead role and support safeguarding standards across Women’s Football and Girls’ Academy
• Promote children’s rights and work within the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
• Working with colleagues to raise awareness of children’s rights, wellbeing and child protection to make football safer for everyone involved
• Support the delivery of ongoing Children’s Wellbeing in Scottish Football training within Girls’ Academy and Women’s Football
• To support the development of the Club’s "Child Protection Policy and Procedures” in conjunction with the SFA policy, and in collaboration with the Safeguarding Manager, ensure these are circulated and understood by all relevant staff
• In collaboration with the Player Wellbeing Assistant, facilitate forums for children, coaches and parents to promote participation and engagement across Girls’ Academy and Women’s Football in issues that affect them
• Maintain accurate, confidential and up to date records on safeguarding concerns and ensure that all safeguarding concerns and/or incidents within Girls’ Academy and Women’s Football are investigated and reported promptly to the Safeguarding Manager
• Maintain up to date knowledge and skills in the areas of wellbeing, safeguarding and child protection through continued personal development
• Provide information and advice to Women’s Football & Girls’ Academy colleagues, young people and parents in relation to safeguarding and child protection policy and practice
• Encourage good practice and support of procedures to protect children across Girls’ Academy and Women’s’ Football
• Identify and, where appropriate, deliver an ongoing programme of Wellbeing awareness and training for Women’s Football & Girls’ Academy colleagues, players and parents
• Create & maintain a programme of Mental Health Awareness for players, parents & coaches within Women’s Football & Girls’ Academy
• Provide wellbeing support to all Girls’ Academy and Women’s Football players in their induction period
• Deliver wellbeing inductions to all new players
• Work alongside Girls’ Academy and Women’s Football Coaches in the offboarding period to ensure the appropriate support is in place throughout the process
• Develop and maintain a programme of ‘after-care’ for players who have left Women’s Football & Girls’ Academy

Skills and Experience required:

• At least 2 years relevant previous professional experience of advising on child protection issues
• At least 2 years previous experience working within a social work, education, youth work, mental health, wellbeing or health background
• Educated to Highers level or HNC qualification in a relevant discipline
• Educated degree level within social work, education, youth work, mental health, wellbeing or health background
• Experience of working as a safeguarding designated person
• Experience of writing reports and compiling case file information
• A working understanding of inclusion, equality and anti-discrimination, safeguarding and best practice.
• Knowledge of safeguarding children and/or vulnerable group’s legislation
• Knowledge of current Child Protection legislation, policies and practice and governing body rules and regulations.
• Ability to create a child centred environment
• To be empathetic and approachable, with excellent listening and judgement skills
• To have strong written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to work with discretion and maintain high levels of confidentiality at all times

Additional

• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, evenings and match days
• Full driving licence

Please apply to:              Tom Dickson, Safeguarding Manager