A game For All
We have a great opportunity for a Safeguarding Case Officer to join our Legal and Governance team. The successful candidate will assess risk and investigate criminal records information, referred allegations or concerns concerning individuals who may pose a safeguarding risk to children or Adults at Risk (AAR) in affiliated football, and implement risk management plans where appropriate.
About the Team
Working to protect the integrity of football, this team supports the FA as a business, while acting as a regulator both on and off the field. They get involved in everything from behaviour and regulations on the pitch, to checking contracts - and to ensuring young people can enjoy the game in a safe environment.
What will you be doing?
Undertake investigations on criminal records information, allegations or concerns made against individuals within, or seeking to enter, football. Complete risk assessments and where appropriate, recommend a risk management plan to the Safeguarding Case Manager, Professional Game Safeguarding Manager, Safeguarding Quality Assurance Manager or Head of Safeguarding Case Management. Prepare comprehensive reports and paperwork for consideration by the Safeguarding Review Panel for cases which require an order in accordance with The FA's Safeguarding Regulations. Progress cases to their full conclusion within the timescales stipulated by The FA. Keep all case files up to date by accurately and consistently recording actions taken on cases using The FA's Case Management system, in line with FA Data Protection Policies and protocols and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Code of Practice. Ensure The FA fulfils its legal duties under the Protection of Freedoms Act, 2012, including referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Work collaboratively with colleagues within The FA Group and external agencies e.g. County FAs, the professional game, statutory agencies, Local Authority Designated Officers and the Probation Service. Work with and support the network of Designated Safeguarding Officers in football contribute to regional County FA meetings and assist in the delivery of training, where required at a regional or national level. Self-reflect on performance, ask for feedback, identify relevant learning needs, attend and effectively prepare for regular supervision and relevant management meetings. Executes additional tasks as required in order to meet FA Group'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 are we looking for?
Essential for the role:
BA/MA in Social Work, Police Officer (relevant Child Protection), Youth Offending Officer or Probation Officer with a relevant degree or lawyer experienced in child care/family law. A minimum of 3 years' experience of front-line child protection intervention and/or risk assessment of adult perpetrators, and application of risk assessment tools. Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and best practice. Evidence of child-centred approach and an understanding of children's rights, needs and best interests. Excellent report writing skills, including risk assessments and risk management report writing and analysis of risk. Experience in handling sensitive information with discretion. Proficient skills in Microsoft Office. Flexible approach to hours and travel. Evidence of continuous training and development. Emotional resilience. Beneficial to have:
Experience of working in a regulatory environment. Knowledge of relevant child protection legislation, and delivery agencies such as the Disclosure and Barring Service and the Child Protection in Sport Unit. Experience of working in football. Knowledge of mental wellbeing strategies and managing cases in relation to adults at risk. What's in it for you?
We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, to achieve this 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 offer 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 pride ourselves in offering a competitive salary as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. But that is not all; we also have a range of exciting benefits, some of which can be found below:
Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season encouraging you to connect and learn with your colleagues and look after your mental health and wellbeing. Free, nutritious lunches, at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park. Free private medical cover. A contributory pension scheme. An additional Thank You days leave, volunteering days as well as 25 days annual leave. A hybrid working model offering flexibility on where you work. For more information on what it is like to work at The FA, please visit our FA Careers page,
Our Organisation
The Football Association The FA is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England. It is responsible for promoting and developing every level of the game, from grassroots through to the professional game, and generates significant revenue to support investment into English football each year.
The FA oversees England international teams across men's, women's, youth and disability football, as well as running the National League System and FA Competitions including the Emirates FA Cup, Barclays FA Women's Super League, FA Women's Championship, and Women's Adobe FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park, all with a purpose to Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation.
We currently work within a hybrid working model whereby the expectation is to work from your contractual location for part of the week, and as and when required by the team. The remaining days can be worked remotely. We will continue to monitor this model and it may be adjusted in future if deemed necessary.
Your contract with The FA will specify a fixed location of either Wembley Stadium, St. George's Park or our Processing Centre, unless the role is advertised as a homebased contract. The contractual location of this role can be found at the top of this advert on our FA vacancy page.
The FA, For All, For You
Our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy forms an integral part of our long-term commitment to using our influence across English football to create a game free from discrimination.
A Game For All outlines three key strategic commitments - Lead the Change, Be the Change, and Inspire the Change - which will ensure tackling discrimination remains a core priority for English football for years to come.
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.