Job candidate pack
SAFEGUARDING MANAGER
ABOUT NOTTINGHAM FOREST COMMUNITY TRUST
NOTTINGHAM FOREST COMMUNITY TRUST IS THE OFFICIAL CHARITY OF NOTTINGHAM FOREST FOOTBALL CLUB AND A DYNAMIC, AUTHENTIC ORGANISATION THAT INSPIRES COMMUNITIES TO ASPIRE TO AND ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS.
The Trust is a high-performing charity with a clear ambition to increase its impact across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire through the expansion and strengthening of its programmes.
To support this ambition, the Trust is seeking to recruit a Safeguarding Manager who will act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), holding day-to-day operational responsibility for safeguarding across all Trust activity.
The Safeguarding Manager will be a dedicated and experienced professional with a proven track record in safeguarding children and adults. They will provide visible leadership, embedding a strong culture in which safeguarding is clearly understood as everyone’s responsibility, and ensuring all environments are safe and inclusive.
A strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation and best practice is essential. The postholder will work closely with Nottingham Forest Football Club to maintain the highest standards of care, compliance and continuous improvement.
ROLE OVERVIEW
SAFEGUARDING MANAGER
Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer (line manager)
Professional Head of Safeguarding, (dotted line): Nottingham Forest Football Club
Salary:
£32,000–£35,000
Contract: Full time, permanent
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Safeguarding Manager is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Nottingham Forest Community Trust (NFCT) and holds day-to-day operational responsibility for safeguarding across all NFCT activity. The role ensures safeguarding arrangements are robust, concerns are responded to promptly and appropriately, and best practice is embedded across the organisation in line with the Premier League Foundation Capability Code of Practice (CCOP).
The postholder will also support Nottingham Forest Football Club’s (NFFC) wider safeguarding agenda, working in close professional alignment with the NFFC’s Head of Safeguarding.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES, ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
SAFEGUARDING LEADERSHIP & CASE MANAGEMENT
1. Act as the primary point of contact for safeguarding concerns, including poor practice, low-level concerns and allegations against staff, volunteers or partners, relating to children, young people or adults at risk within NFCT.
2. Record, manage and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with NFCT and NFFC safeguarding policies, statutory guidance and local safeguarding partnership thresholds.
3. Maintain accurate, timely and confidential safeguarding records using MyConcern.
4. Make timely referrals to statutory agencies where required and support multi-agency safeguarding processes.
5. Provide safeguarding rota cover where appropriate across NFCT and NFFC activity.
POLICY, STANDARDS & COMPLIANCE
6. Ensure safeguarding policies and procedures remain up to date and aligned with national guidance and NFCT/NFFC safeguarding standards.
7. Lead the operational delivery of safeguarding quality assurance processes across all NFCT provision.
8. Support compliance with Premier League Foundation safeguarding standards, including external audits and assessments.
CULTURE, TRAINING & WORKFORCE SUPPORT
9. Work closely with internal stakeholders, including the People Team, to provide advice and guidance on KCSIE and safer recruitment processes. 10. Develop and deliver safeguarding training and CPD to staff and volunteers, ensuring confidence in identifying and reporting concerns. 11. Promote safeguarding awareness through clear messaging, learning and best practice. 12. Provide day-to-day safeguarding advice and guidance to staff and managers. 13. Embed a strong safeguarding culture where safeguarding is understood as everyone’s responsibility. 14. Develop and support a network of safeguarding champions across delivery teams.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES, ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
GOVERNANCE & ASSURANCE
15. Act as the operational safeguarding link to the NFCT Board Safeguarding Lead, providing updates, assurance and reporting as required.
16. Escalate serious, complex or high-risk matters to the COO and the NFFC Head of Safeguarding.
17. Support safeguarding governance meetings and contribute to structured reporting.
18. Contribute to safeguarding reporting for NFCT Board and funder assurance purposes.
PARTNERSHIPS & EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS
19. Maintain effective working relationships with local authorities, safeguarding partnerships, the police and relevant external agencies.
20. Work collaboratively with NFFC’s safeguarding team to ensure consistent standards, shared learning and appropriate information sharing.
SUPPORTING THE CLUB’S WIDER SAFEGUARDING AGENDA
21. Support NFFC’s wider safeguarding agenda, as agreed with the COO and NFFC Head of Safeguarding. This may include:
a. Supporting match day safeguarding activity where required.
b. Providing safeguarding support linked to Academy activity where there is overlap with NFCT delivery or where specialist input is required.
22. All activity will be undertaken in alignment with NFFC safeguarding leadership and will not replace or duplicate the NFFC’s statutory safeguarding responsibilities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES, ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
SAFER WORKING PRACTICE
23. Provide safeguarding input into programme design and partner engagement to ensure appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place.
24. Lead and support safeguarding risk assessments to ensure safe delivery and effective controls.
25. Support the People Team with DBS risk assessments and safeguarding advice where required.
26. Provide safeguarding support for events and off-site activity, ensuring safe planning and clear escalation routes.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
1. Proven experience in a safeguarding role with strong knowledge of child and adult protection.
2. A safeguarding and/or welfare professional with a relevant degree, professional qualification or significant equivalent experience, including work or volunteering with children and/or young people.
3. In-depth knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and recognised best practice, including maintaining clear, accurate and confidential records.
4. Experience managing safeguarding concerns and allegations against staff, and contributing to multi-agency safeguarding processes.
5. Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience advising senior leaders and/or Board members on safeguarding matters.
6. Highly organised, able to manage competing priorities, work independently and respond flexibly and professionally in complex safeguarding situations.
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES, ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
PERSONAL VALUES
1. Approachable, calm and professional under pressure.
2. Progressive, solutions-focused and collaborative.
3. Works with integrity, accountability and respect for others.
4. Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
5. Resilient and adaptable in complex safeguarding environments.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
All candidates must:
1. Have the right to work in the UK
2. Undertake an enhanced DBS check
3. Provide two professional references
FOREST FOR EVERYONE
We aim to create a culture which embraces and celebrates difference, enables individuals to feel comfortable, maximise their potential, and eliminates discrimination. Nottingham Forest Community Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or any other legally protected characteristic.
PRIVACY NOTICE
Nottingham Forest Community Trust is committed to being transparent about how it handles personal information, protecting privacy and security, and meeting its obligations under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
At Nottingham Forest Community Trust, we take a holistic and person-centred approach to safeguarding. Where concerns about any child or adult at risk are raised, NFCT staff will always act in the best interests of the individual. We accept and acknowledge our responsibility for the wellbeing and safety of all participants engaged in NFCT programmes and activities. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
Nottingham Forest Community Trust
The City Ground
Nottingham
NG2 5FJ
0115 982 4318
community@nottinghamforest.co.uk
nottinghamforestcommunitytrust.co.uk