Salary: Please state your expectations within your application
Contract: Full Time, 42 hours a week
Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR
Department: Safeguarding
Reporting to: Head of Safeguarding
Closing Date For Applications: 27th November 2026
About the Role:
The designated person will have primary responsibility for leading and implementing the Academy’s safeguarding strategy and policies and for putting excellent monitoring and reporting procedures into daily practice to safeguard children and adults at risk across the Academy.
The Perks of the Job:
- Opportunity to access tickets for events at The City Ground.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Access to high street and gym discounts.
- Discount within our Club shop.
- Free on-site parking.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Line Management of Academy Designated Safeguarding Officer.
- Ensuring appropriate safeguarding cover at the training ground during all Academy activity.
- Providing strategic influence and guidance on good safeguarding practise as part of the Academy Leadership Team.
- Working with all stakeholders to create a positive, child-centred academy environment.
- Lead on implementing and evolving the Academy’s approach to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk.
- Be the lead point of contact within the Academy for reporting and managing of Safeguarding concerns about children and young people and guide and delegate colleagues to manage concerns where appropriate.
- Ensure all stakeholders are fully aware of reporting procedures through regular training and the dissemination of appropriate resources.
- Manage cases relating to safeguarding concerns about children and young people reported to and by the Academy staff and stakeholders, undertake further investigations as/when required, and ensure all information is accurate, confidential, up to date, in line with GDP regulations and appropriately captured and monitored using our online system MyConcern.
- Support the Head of Safeguarding to manage concerns relating to Academy staff when appropriate.
- Liaise with parents/carers, schools, and local authorities when appropriate in relation to safeguarding concerns.
- Maintain oversight of children and young people with additional vulnerabilities and ensure their needs are assessed and reasonable support is in place for them at the Academy.
- Monitor and report on themes or trends in safeguarding matters at the Academy to the Academy Leadership Team, Head of Safeguarding and where appropriate the Senior Safeguarding Board.
- Help to ensure that the Premier League standards are met within in the Academy by promoting and championing all safeguarding policy and procedures and assisting in compiling evidence for audits.
- Develop policies, procedures and guidance documents to enhance safeguarding practises at the Academy. Facilitate and support the development and review of policies and procedures as appropriate.
- Design and deliver educational interventions for staff including training, presentations, and resource materials to raise awareness of safeguarding policies, procedures, and guidance.
- Design and regularly review the Academy safeguarding induction and ensure new starters receive relevant information and resources.
- Support the Operations and Coaching departments with planning, preparing, and delivering trips and tours, including risk assessments and safeguarding provisions. Attend trips and tours on occasion to maintain oversight of risks, to assess safeguarding procedures, and to provide safeguarding support.
- Assist the Academy in keeping staff’s safeguarding training up to date, including the FA Safeguarding Children certificates.
- Support the Club’s safer recruitment process by ensuring new and existing staff undertake the relevant DBS checks in a timely manner.
- Attend training and fixtures for all age groups in the Academy to observe and feedback where applicable on best practice. Including and not limited to training and fixture venues both home and away.
- Provide advice and support to all staff, volunteers and associates of the organisation in relation to safeguarding concerns and queries.
- Responsible for identifying staff training and development needs by evaluating strengths and weaknesses, Once identified, responsible for planning, organising and overseeing appropriate training on an annual basis.
- Attend and contribute to Academy SWEP Group meetings as deemed appropriate.
- Represent the Academy at Club safeguarding meetings and feedback where appropriate.
- Maintain player information confidentiality and professional distance from all playing staff acting within professional codes of conduct and scope of practice at all times.
- To act, at all times, in a manner appropriate to a representative of Nottingham Forest FC.
What are we looking for:
Essential:
- FA Safeguarding Children or equivalent.
- A recognised qualification in Player Care / Safeguarding.
- Understanding of Safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Experience of safeguarding and working with children, ideally in an elite sport environment.
- Knowledge, understanding and experience of working with and supporting young people with mental health or wellbeing concerns.
- Excellent presentation, planning and communication skills.
- Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills with the ability to multi-task and balance conflicting demands.
- Experience in contributing to the design, delivery and evaluation of education and development interventions for individuals and groups.
- Experience of working and contributing to a team environment by collaborating with others.
- Ability to build strong relationships with players, parents, coaches and other stakeholders.
- Ability to engage and communicate with people of all ages, especially young elite athletes.
- Flexible, caring and a non-judgmental approach and attitude.
- Always hold a professional manner and remain compliant with confidentiality.
- Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of local statutory agencies (social services, police, and local safeguarding children board).
Desirable:
- Previous experience in a safeguarding role in Academy football.
- Mental Health First Aid training qualification.
- FA Welfare Officer training.
