Role Description: Area and Deputy Area Safeguarding Officers

Everyone in fencing has a responsibility to safeguard and protect young people and adults at risk.  The role of the Area and Deputy Area Safeguarding  Officers is to establish, develop and support British Fencing’s (BF) approach to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk across England. It is a key role in organisational safeguarding structure of BF. (For more information about the governance structure please see here.)

Role

Reporting to the Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO) the ASO and DSO will:

• Support improvements to and implementation of BF’s policies and procedures in respect to safeguarding young people and adults at risk
• Liaise with the LSO re referrals to Social Services and police
• Act as a central point of contact for internal individuals and agencies as needed.
• Co-ordinate dissemination of BF policy, procedures and resources throughout Regions
• Advise and support Club Welfare Officers of clubs within assigned regions to fulfil their responsibilities to safeguard young people and adults at risk
• Assist and advise Club Welfare Officers with cases of poor practice when necessary
• Advise clubs on recruitment, selection and training of Club Welfare Officers
• Advise clubs on creation and implementation of Safeguarding plans.
• Attend training, where appropriate
• Act as a communication link between Club Welfare Officers and BF’s LSO (as necessary)
• Assist and/or report on the Safeguarding Standards where necessary
• Implement BF’s reporting and recording procedures
• Ensure confidentiality is maintained
• Be the first point of contact with BF’s LSO
• Maintain contact details for local Social Services, Police and the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) in case of an emergency
• Promote and demonstrate anti-discriminatory practice
• Promotes training opportunities to Club Welfare Officers
• Be a member of the BF Safeguarding Work Group and attend quarterly meetings (online)

Experience and Knowledge

• Detailed knowledge of BF’s policy and procedures related to safeguarding and protecting children, young people and adults at risk
• Detailed knowledge of BF’s role and responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of children, young people, adults at risk and the roles of the various levels of Welfare and Safeguarding Officers
• Detailed knowledge of clubs responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of children and adults at risk
• Basic knowledge of areas of increased safeguarding risk in sport – eg grooming
• Basic knowledge of roles and responsibilities of local statutory agencies (Social Services, Police and LSCB)
• Basic knowledge of equality issues and child protection
• Basic knowledge of core legislation, government guidance and national framework for child protection and adults at risk

Performance Standards

• Is clear on what constitutes poor practice and abusive behaviour and best practice in prevention
• Responds in a timely manner to information and requests for assistance
• Keep personal knowledge and skills current
• Review on a regular basis relevant information published by BF
• Maintain relevant records as necessary using BF Case Management system and use BF email system for email communication where provided.
• Maintains confidentiality throughout cases
• Maintains up-to-date network and contact lists
• Uses effective communication skills.
• Maintain regular communication with LWO
• Maintain regular contact with CWO’s and solicit feedback

Skills

• Displays core values and principles underpinning good practice
• Approachable
• Child-focused
• Basic administration skills, including record people and the ability to use online systems and email.
• Basic advice and support provision
• Excellent Communication – written and verbal
• Maintaining records
• Ability to promote organisations policy, procedures and resources
• Interpersonal
• Collaborative – willing to work as a group

Training

ASOs and DASOs must attend the following workshops which will provide them with much of the background information that is needed for this role:

• En Guarde Ready – an introduction to British  Fencing’s Welfare Pack
• Sportscoach UK’s Safeguarding and Protection Workshop (or equivalent in Scotland and NI)
• BF’s Welfare Officer Training or Time to Listen Training

For more information click here.