RFL Safeguarding Case Management Group - Independent Chair

Organisation: Rugby Football League
Salary: Competitive
Location: Etihad Campus, Manchester M11 3FF
Contract type: Volunteer (Part time)
Closing date: 16 October 2026
Job Description: The Rugby Football League (RFL) are seeking a Safeguarding Case Management Group Independent Chair to join the Safeguarding Case Management Group (SCMG) in volunteer capacity.
Volunteer Opportunity: Safeguarding Case Management Group Independent Chair
• Role Type: Volunteer appointments
• Anticipated Commitment: Approximately 5/6 hours per month, including meeting preparation and urgent case consultations
• Location: Attendance at RFL HQ in Manchester with an option for virtual conversations (via Microsoft Teams)
• Expenses: All reasonable expenses will be reimbursed
• Next Line of Communication: Chief Regulatory Officer

Application information:
• Please submit a CV or an expression of interest to the following address: People.Team@rfl.co.uk
• Vacancy closing date: 16th October 2026 5:00PM
• Shortlisted applicants may be invited to participate in an interview via Microsoft Teams
Purpose and Scope:
The RFL are looking to broaden the range of expertise within our current membership and invite applications from individuals who are keen to volunteer their personal and professional skills, experience, and judgement to help ensure that Rugby League in England is a safe environment for children and adults at risk.
The Safeguarding Case Management Group (SCMG) is a cross departmental group charged by the RFL with assessing the risk that individuals may pose to children and adults at risk.
The SCMG consider concerns or referrals presented by the RFL Safeguarding Team and decide on the appropriate outcome following any investigation, including those by police, social care or any other regulatory agency, members are expected to follow the facts and decisions are made using a risk-based approach based on the balance of probabilities standard.
The SCMG also consider information contained within a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate and assesses whether the applicant is potentially suitable to work with children or adults at risk.
SCMG members are expected to carefully balance individual rights with the RFL’s safeguarding responsibilities, ensuring that decisions are fair, proportionate, evidence-based, and focused on the welfare and safety of children and adults at risk.
It is vital that the SCMG reflects a broad range of perspectives, drawing on expertise from both within the sport and beyond it.
The RFL are particularly keen to hear from individuals with a background in statutory safeguarding, human resources, or safeguarding in sport. We would also welcome applicants with expertise in supporting victims of abuse and a strong understanding of trauma-informed practice.

Character:

• To act with integrity and independence, ensuring that SCMG decision-making is fair, balanced and well-informed, with the safeguarding of children and adults at risk remaining the primary consideration.
• To have an understanding, or a willingness to understand, the RFL Safeguarding Policies, RFL Regulations and the statutory legislation underpinning safeguarding.
• Be guided by the principle that all children and adults at risk have the right to protection from abuse regardless of their age, ability, race, ethnic origin, gender, disability, social status, size, religion or sexual orientation.
• Understanding of safeguarding practice within diverse communities and ability to identify how culture, disability, protected characteristics, vulnerability and lived experience may influence risk and safeguarding outcomes.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of, and commitment to, handling sensitive information with the utmost confidentiality.
• To declare any conflict of interest or connection with a particular case.

Person Specification:

Essential:
• The ability to make proportionate, reasoned and justifiable decisions in safeguarding cases, demonstrating confidence participating in multi-disciplinary decision making.
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and best practice relating to children and adults at risk.
• Ability to access and analyse a variety of evidence in written and other forms
• A professional background in safeguarding or experience of safeguarding in sport

Desired:
• Knowledge of the sport of rugby
• Knowledge of human resources and disciplinary proceedings

Additional Information:

• This post holder must maintain an appropriate standard of confidentiality, any disclosures of confidential information (including personal information kept on computer or other media) made unlawfully outside the proper course of duty will be treated as a disciplinary offence.
• Successful applicants will be expected to undertake induction and any safeguarding training identified by the RFL alongside maintenance of their safeguarding knowledge through ongoing development.
• The SCMG meet via Teams on a monthly basis, meetings are generally held on the first Thursday of each month and take place between 1:00pm and 2:30pm.
• To support effective preparation, meeting packs containing relevant paper and reports will be circulated one week in advance of the meeting thus allowing sufficient time for detailed review and consideration.
• In addition, particularly where the Safeguarding Team is considering an immediate suspension, SCMG members may be required to provide their views on risk assessments within 24 hours of a request.
How to apply: Please submit a CV or an expression of interest to the following address: People.Team@rfl.co.uk

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RFL Safeguarding Case Management Group - Independent Chair