Impact & Strategy Officer - #148485

Gymnastics is an amazing sport that has the power to have a positive impact on people, communities, and our society, helping to build foundations for life for all those who take part. As the UK’s national governing body for gymnastics, by working closely with our members who form this community, we aim to lead, support and inspire them to help build a bright future for our sport.

The Welfare and Safe Sport Directorate is responsible for promoting best practice in safeguarding, welfare and wellbeing in gymnastics across the whole community. Its role is to engage members, whether they are recreational or competitive gymnasts, coaches, club managers, officials or event organisers in playing their part to ensure that our sport is welcoming, safe, positive and fair for everyone.

We are looking for a Safeguarding Officer to join the team. As our Safeguarding Officer you will ensure that all children, young people and adult members of British Gymnastics are safeguarded and protected in the sport. You will be responsible for recording and responding to complaints and concerns received by British Gymnastics, including but not limited to Child Protection / Safeguarding concerns; promoting continuous improvement and innovation in our case management systems; and support our network of Regional Welfare Officers, to carry out their roles; promote best practice and ensure compliance with relevant legislation throughout all areas of the sport, together with all other relevant tasks within the Safeguarding remit.

The Role

The main responsibilities of the role are:

·     Conducting and supporting safeguarding/disciplinary investigations: Receiving and recording complaints/allegations involving the spectrum of offences or conduct matters, conducting enquiries either by visit, email or via telephone, obtaining witness accounts, interviewing respondents, liaising and coordinating with external statutory agencies, other affiliated organisations, the network of Welfare Officers and British Gymnastics regions and clubs.

·     Risk assessing cases and highlight any potential legislative and/or British Gymnastics regulatory implications applying/advising caution where appropriate.

·     Co-ordinating information sharing with key stakeholders including staff and statutory agencies who “need to know” about British Gymnastics led cases and providing them with regular updates and relevant details of outcomes.

·     Membership of the Case Management Team (CMT) and participate in the initial/internal judgement on the course of action relevant to the referral/allegation e.g. police intervention, suspension or no further action

·     Preparing detailed, clear response letters/reports in connection with the outcomes of cases.

·     Making arrangements to support regional and club Welfare Officers and/or British Gymnastics Safeguarding team to collect information pertinent to referrals/allegations, monitoring/processing their expenses.

·     Supporting investigations where required e.g. complete telephone interviews, take notes and preparing reports from investigative meetings.

The Person

Applicants will need to demonstrate:

·     A comprehensive and current knowledge of legislation affecting child/adult protection and safeguarding including legal frameworks, standards and disciplinary processes

·     Experience of case management

·     Experience of providing advice/signposting enquiries and referrals

·     Experience of developing and delivering training programmes

·     Able to make tough decisions and to prioritise activities.

·     Strong interpersonal, communication, negotiation and consultative skills at all levels.

·     An ability to build effective working relationship with internal departments and external stakeholders.

·     Effective IT skills.

·     Experience and formal qualifications/training in Child Protection/Safeguarding and/or as a minimum, should have recognised national Safeguarding and Awareness training.

·     An understanding of gymnastics, it structures and frameworks would be advantageous

We value diversity of views and contributions and have a strong commitment to equality and inclusion. We aspire to have a workforce that is diverse and representative of all sections of society. We are particularly keen to receive applications from women, people with disabilities, people from ethnically diverse communities, people from the LGBTQ+ community because these groups are often under-represented within our workforce.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on Thursday 26^th June

Interview date: 2^nd or 3^rd July