ACADEMY SAFEGUARDING AND WELFARE OFFICER

Organisation: Middlesbrough Football Club
Salary: Enquire
Location: Darlington
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 17 March 2026
Job Description: An exciting opportunity has arisen to work within Middlesbrough Football Club’s Category 1 Academy as a Safeguarding and Welfare Officer. The main purpose of the role is to be responsible for the operational delivery of safeguarding and welfare strategies within Academy and to support with the implementation of policies and procedures and the reporting and investigating of safeguarding incidents and concerns.

THE ROLE:
• To oversee and direct the provision of Safeguarding at MFC Academy and assist with embedding a culture where safeguarding is paramount.
• To respond promptly, efficiently and effectively to any safeguarding incidents/concerns, ensuring records are logged accurately, appropriately and confidentially.
• To provide high visibility safeguarding and welfare presence at Academy training and games on evenings and weekends, as required.
• To support the Academy’s Head of Education with managing the ‘host families’ scheme for players living away from home.
• To prepare informed safeguarding risk assessments to cover all trips, tours and other activities
• To offer safeguarding support, advice and guidance to Academy staff, partners, and players and act as a point of contact for safeguarding and welfare support for all U18 and U21 players ‘on loan’ to other Clubs.
• To support the management of compliance across the Academy of Premier League/English Football League safeguarding standards and codes of practice.
• Manage Academy safeguarding audits and welfare portfolios and lead on the DBS application process for Academy staff.
• To support the Head of Safeguarding and Academy Manager to prepare and submit safeguarding reports to the Executive Management Team and other footballing professional bodies.

CANDIDATES SHOULD:
• Have experience of working within a safeguarding role, preferably within a sporting environment.
• Have experience of working with young people.
• Have experience of developing safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of safeguarding legislation and regulations
• Possess safeguarding qualifications/certificates which show a good level of safeguarding knowledge
• Demonstrate strong I.T. skills with the ability to write reports.
• Have good time management and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Be able to maintain confidentiality where necessary.
• Be able to recognise and challenge inappropriate behaviour and poor practices
• Have a flexible approach to working hours and be prepared to work evenings and weekends.
• Be eligible to work in the UK.

Please note that this post falls within the scope of ‘regulated activity’ and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check and are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exemptions) Act 1975.

If you would like to be part of a committed team and can demonstrate MFC core value behaviours, please follow the below link to apply:

ACADEMY SAFEGUARDING AND WELFARE OFFICER in England - EFL (English Football League)

CLOSING DATE: 17 March 2026

MFC is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

MFC is also committed to the safeguarding of vulnerable groups.
How to apply: https://irecruit.efl.com/vacancies/2649/academy-safeguarding-and-welfare-officer.html