Volunteer Welfare Officer

Girls United FA•London, CA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are a non-profit organisation that stands for a world with a level playing field, on and off the pitch. We establish grassroots football clubs and programmes for girls and use football as a tool to develop life skills such as leadership. We focus on sustainable impact that can promote gender equality in local communities and give more girls better prospects for their futures. For more information visit our website girlsunitedfa.org or connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. The aim of the Welfare Officer is to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of our community is being cared for through best practices and that Girls United is equipped to promote and protect the welfare of players, coaches, staff, volunteers and all members of our community. The Welfare Officer will be able to understand the challenges faced by grassroots football clubs as well as the considerations when working with children and young people in order to inform the safeguarding structure within the organisation.

Requirements

Experiences - Someone who has been involved in safeguarding for youth or community sports programmes and is familiar with best practice for addressing welfare. The successful candidate will have experience in working with young people and understands the challenges that affect their wellbeing.
Communication - someone who is confident to speak and build positive rapport with various people within the community. For example but not exclusive to: players, parents, venues, schools, and funders etc. Someone who has experience in writing policies and reports.
Additional skills - someone who is able to connect and maintain contact details for the Safeguarding Team of the sports’ governing bodies and key statutory agencies.

Responsibilities

Reviewing safeguarding processes, risk assessments and policies, for example, Child Protection and Safeguarding, Online Safeguarding and Emergency Action Plans.
Ensure recruitment protocols are being met and work with others at the organisation to ensure the relevant people have completed a satisfactory criminal records check and hold current safeguarding certificates.
Understanding the organisation's responsibilities when running activities for children and young people and communicating this clearly with coaches, staff, volunteers and participants so as to ensure everyone is equipped with the tools they need to create a safe environment.
Supporting coaches and management staff in preventing, identifying and addressing any safeguarding issues that may arise.
Be the Welfare Officer in the Club Management Committee and on the FA Whole Game System.
Visiting programmes to engage with our community and listen to the needs of staff, coaches and players.
Attending key and pre-agreed Girls United community events such as Annual IWD London activations/tournament and others.
Represent the first point of contact should any situation arise that requires immediate attention or de-escalation.
Oversee any reports, concerns or queries that relate to the welfare of our community and contact corresponding Safeguarding Teams or local authorities where appropriate.