Impact, on and off the pitch

We are seeking a Designated Safeguarding & Welfare Lead (DSWL) to work on a casual basis to work with our England Women's U15 Development Team in fixtures, training camps and tournaments both in the UK and abroad. As such this role will involve UK and International travel, which at times, could be for a few weeks in succession.

Working as an extension to the team that leads the safeguarding strategy and preventative interventions, the role will be the first point of contact for the duration of an England camp or event environment for staff and players regarding safeguarding matters. The role will also be involved in pre-camp preparation and post camp review phases. The successful candidate will work both proactively to mitigate against safeguarding risks and lead the response in a camp/event environment where concerns about welfare, poor practice (lower-level concerns) or child/adult abuse are identified.

The role would be deployed primarily with the Women's U15s for 9 days in November 25, 7 days in April 2026 and approx. 9 days in May 2026 (all TBC and include 2 days for pre-post event work for each camp. Additionally, we would also require attendance at an induction day at St. Georges Park, Burton upon Trent, in September or October 2025 (date tbc) and occasional meetings/CPD events thereafter.

Note: Due to the level of flexibility and experience required for these roles, we are particularly interested in applications from people;

• in existing flexible roles with safeguarding and welfare remits, or who are retired;
• with experience from teaching, youth work or similar role, preferably with some experience in an elite sport environment.

The number of days stipulated are approximate and are subject to change depending on schedules and progression through tournaments. Post holders would be contracted on a day rate, initially until 31 July 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete a video interview, and those that who are successful will then be invited to an in person interview at St. George's Park on the 15th or16th September.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Understand, promote and implement The FA's Safeguarding Policies, England Safer Working Practice Guidance and event-specific Safeguarding Plans and Risk Assessments.
• Lead the in-camp response to safeguarding and welfare issues (including low level concerns), escalating serious matters internally with The FA and, where relevant, to statutory agencies and stakeholders. Work collaboratively with Tournament Safeguarding Leads in ensuring a safe environment.
• Lead the Camp Welfare Group and ensure that the Group meets as required throughout a camp and that issues are addressed as far as possible whilst on an event. Utilise the Group effectively to support the response to safeguarding and welfare issues.
• Ensure all safeguarding/welfare concerns and incidents are responded to, reported and recorded using internal FA processes and systems. Support and advise colleagues on safeguarding matters and incidents.
• Support colleagues to understand their safeguarding responsibilities and ensure practice related matters are raised and addressed as appropriate, escalating serious concerns in a timely manner e.g., allegation involving a member of staff. Work closely with Women's Teams Safeguarding Oversight Lead and Senior Safeguarding Manager – England Teams and FA Venues to ensure that safeguarding concerns are responded to appropriately.
• Deliver pre-agreed safeguarding briefings and training to staff and players on camp along with ad-hoc briefings in camp where there is a need to address specific issues matters, drawing on your expertise, experience and enthusiasm to ensure these sessions are engaging and are contextually relevant.
• Foster positive, supportive relationships with players, collaborate with colleagues in particular with the Strategic Safeguarding Team, psychology, medical and education & lifestyle leads, to ensure that appropriate support plans are in place, including managing matters relating to child protection plans, education, health & care plans (EHCPs), that welfare and behaviour management needs are supported and that key messages are relayed to education providers/clubs and parents/carers as appropriate. Ensure that players are signposted as required to appropriate services and sources of support as required.
• Support the chaperoning of individual players (including overnight) pre/post England camps or during repatriation from international events as required.
• Work with the Head Coach and Team Manager to ensure that any activities, including excursions developed on camp are risk assessed effectively, with relevant mitigations implemented.
• Collaborate with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to supervise players and support effective behaviour management.
• Contribute to event planning and review by participating in MDT calls as required.
• Produce a post camp/event report, highlighting areas of good practice, ensuring development areas are identified with clear actions, and participate in safeguarding quality assurance and data analysis reviews.
• Contribute to the wider work of the safeguarding team, including supporting safeguarding planning and risk assessments for events and complaint management as required.

• Executes additional tasks as required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing 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 Will You Need?:

Essential for the role:

Knowledge

• A professional safeguarding qualification and/or significant relevant experience in a safeguarding and or welfare role in education, youth work or similar environment.
• Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding legislation, policy and implementation.
• Understanding of current issues that impact on the development of elite young players/athletes, particularly females in these environments.
• A sound working knowledge of data protection, information sharing and confidentiality, principles and practice.
• Sound knowledge of equality legislation and inclusive practices as they relate to safeguarding and additional vulnerability.

Experience

• Experience of implementing safeguarding policy and safer working practice guidance.
• Experience of making referrals to statutory organisations.
• Experience of risk and crisis management.
• Experience of delivering safeguarding training and CPD to staff, ideally within elite sport environments.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining positive relationships with young people and collaborating effectively within a multi-disciplinary setting.

Technical Skills

• Ability to deliver safeguarding training and briefings to a wide range of staff and players in a way that is accessible and age appropriate.
• Proficient reporting writing skills.
• Proficient Microsoft Office skills.
• Excellent communication, management, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Willingness to work flexibly with extensive travel with national teams for an extended duration.

Beneficial to have:

Knowledge

• An understanding of case management processes and the role of a Designated Safeguarding Lead in these processes.
• Understanding of women's football, professional game academies, and player pathway, and international travel involving elite teams.

Experience

• Experience of running residential activities with young people.
• Experience of working in a safeguarding role or player wellbeing role in an elite sport pathway or environment, with a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience of differentiating learning materials and using a blended approach to learning.
• Experience of delivering safeguarding awareness learning opportunities with young people.

Technical Skills

• Completion of the FA Safeguarding Children Course, or similar sports-related training, or education-based Level 3 equivalent.

What's in it for you?

We pride ourselves in offering a competitive rate of pay as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role.

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, and by doing this, we offer top-of-the-range facilities across two core business locations. 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 have 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 are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.

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.