Sport Welfare Officer

Organisation: West of England Sport Trust
Salary: £29,352 - £31,108
Location: Office Based in Bristol (Wesport Offices) Covering the Wesport partnership area of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 9 March 2026
Interview date: 26 March 2026
Job Description: Job Role Description & Person Specification

Job Role Title: Sport Welfare Officer (SWO2)
Responsible For: No line management responsibilities
Reporting To: Strategic Lead, Networks & Workforce

Main Purpose of Job Role

Sport England’s policy response to the Whyte Review (July 2022), published with UK Sport in January 2023, included a proposal to fund a professional, national network of Sport Welfare Officers in England.

The national network of Sport Welfare Officers has been created across England to support National Governing Bodies (NGB) and their local clubs to promote good practice and safe sport for children, young people and adults on a local level. The Sport Welfare Officer roles are adding capacity and expertise to the existing safeguarding work of NGBs and Active Partnerships. They are helping to further understand safeguarding in local clubs e.g. how policies and procedures are cascaded and help share good practice. They are working closely with other Sport Welfare Officers, National Governing Bodies of sport, and wider organisations; to connect people working on welfare and safeguarding, both inside and outside sport.
The network is being funded by Sport England using National Lottery grants.
These posts are located within Active Partnerships (APs) who have a high level of knowledge of their locality.
The Sport Welfare Officer will work alongside the existing Sport Welfare Officer with National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and their local clubs to promote good practice and safe sport on a local level.
The Sport Welfare Officer will complement the work of the existing safeguarding structure inside and outside sport. They will continue to champion national safeguarding campaigns with local clubs, for example ‘Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport week’ (inside sport) and ‘Safeguarding Adults Week’ (outside sport).

The role will continue to work alongside the other Sport Welfare Officer and the Strategic Lead: Networks & Workforce in building & maintaining relationships with statutory services e.g. Local Authority Designated Officers (outside sport). They will continue to raise awareness of safeguarding with parents/carers and participants either inside or outside sport. The roles will continue to share good practice locally and provide feedback to NGBs either sub-regionally, regionally or nationally (on either good or poor practice). This network of sport welfare officers is not replacing the existing safeguarding work of Active Partnerships and NGBs but instead adding capacity and expertise to it.

At national and local level the role will continue to contribute to the establishment of good welfare practice with safer club environments for participants and sports clubs, moving from welfare compliance to effective safeguarding culture. These safer club environments will lead to inclusive, improved experiences for children and adults, narrowed inequalities and consistent, best practice across sport.

Key Tasks & Objectives
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning – To embed Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning throughout the work. Ensuring contribution to both Wesport and National Evaluation and Learning.
Development – empowering sports clubs to enhance their confidence in safeguarding and welfare practices

Relationships – Fostering solid working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders will ensure multi-dimensional buy-in and long-term project success.

Delivery and Influencing Change – To influence positive cultural change in safeguarding and welfare practices within sports clubs

Keep abreast of relevant current evidence, national guidance and policies related to Safeguarding and Welfare of Children and Young People, and Adults at Risk.

Engagement with national Active Partnerships Network and relevant Communities of Practice to share learning, make connections and gain support.
Role Description

Key Duties and Responsibilities
• Promote safe sport and welfare for both children and young people’s and adults.
• Support the other Sport Welfare Officer in training (or facilitating training for) club welfare officers (prioritising new Club Welfare Officers).
• Communicate with Club Welfare Officers using existing or new forums/networks.
• Promote best practice to Club Welfare Officers.
• Support the other Sport Welfare Officer in providing consultation and advice about children’s and adults welfare, including if there are concerns around abuse, referring concerns to the relevant body (Club Welfare Officer, NGB, LADO).
• Provide guidance on referring concerns to the relevant local authority Social Care departments.
• Provide guidance on responding to allegations, concerns and complaints about the actions of members of the club towards children or adults.
• Facilitate and support reporting and referral of safeguarding cases from local to national (and, if appropriate, support resolution of lower-level concerns).
• Work with the other Sport Welfare Officer to prioritise club visits to support Club Welfare Officers
• Work with the other Sport Welfare Officer to prioritise event visits (to raise welfare awareness with parents/carers and participants).
• Specific support linked to wider role responsibilities for the Hate Crime Reporting project ‘No Hate Just Sport ‘led by Wesport’s Strategic Lead Place and Communities 1
• Enable / support Wesport event planning and delivery where relevant
• Connect people working on welfare within and across sports (national, sub-regional and local).
• Share best practice and work within Wesport, other Sport Welfare Officers, and Active Partnership National Team.
• Work with the existing safeguarding team within Wesport
• Maintain awareness of wider Wesport work and local information (examples include data, insight, workforce, health, physical inactivity) to aid connections with identified key audiences and community organisations at ‘place’ to support improved community, wellbeing and health outcomes.
• Contribute to Wesport’s measurement of impact, evaluation and learning
• Help embed Wesport’s inequalities focus into all areas of responsibility
• Demonstrate Wesport values in everyday interactions

Person Specification

Knowledge / Qualifications / Skills / Experience

• Experience in building effective working relationships to achieve positive outcomes
• Professional welfare experience – children and young people, adults, or both
• Knowledge of welfare issues, priorities, and policies outside of sport
• Knowledge of sport & welfare issues, priorities, and policies inside of sport
• An understanding of the welfare infrastructure inside & outside of sport
• Experience of reporting & presenting to funders, key stakeholders, other interested parties
• A degree or equivalent recognised qualification in a related field or proven ability to demonstrate equivalent knowledge through experience in professional roles
• Knowledge and experience of working within either the sport and physical activity sector and / or health
• Evidence of supporting successful resource and project management and an understanding of the techniques required through experience of managing, planning, implementing and evaluating projects.
• Experience of cross-sector stakeholder working, developing strong and successful partnerships. Ideally within the health / wellbeing and physical activity sectors.
• Awareness of the inequalities faced by key audiences (in focus communities) to being physically active
• An understanding of Sport England’s place-based focus and whole system approach
• An understanding of sports equity, safeguarding children and adults at risk policies, planning, implementation and evaluation
• An understanding of case management thresholds & what constitutes lower-level and serious concerns
• Awareness of current issues and legislation regarding to equalities, diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDEI)
• An understanding of the requirements of key partners, agencies and organisations in demonstrating the value of physical activity to the achievement of objectives (local – national organisations)
• Experience in developing working partnerships with other professional organisations and the voluntary sector.
• Proven ability to move initiatives forward
• Ability to manage multiple demands with attention to detail
• Experience of impact measurement and reporting
• Resource management experience
• Experience of working successfully in cross–organisational teams
• Experience of strategic planning and the process of implementing, reviewing and adapting plans
• Knowledge / awareness of national planning processes for sport and the potential opportunities / challenges this can have on an organisation, such as Wesport
• IT literate and a knowledge of the benefits that IT can bring to enhance planning, evaluation, management and communications

Skills / Experience:
• Group support, e.g. supporting a group for cultural change in welfare
• Relationship building at both a local and sub-regional level
• Networking & supporting a network of welfare volunteers
• Training – supporting volunteers to have the right welfare knowledge, and signposting to appropriate training where applicable and / or delivering opportunities whether face to face or online
• Dispute resolution, negotiation, and mediation – if applicable in relation to the resolution of lower-level concerns
• Strong prioritisation skills to prioritise NGBs and local clubs for welfare support

Communication

• Excellent communication skills via a range of methods including digital technology, to enable the effective sharing of welfare resources
• Evidence of the ability to motivate, inspire, enthuse, persuade, negotiate with and influence others
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with people on all levels and from a variety of organisations
•

Self Motivation

• Proven ability to meet objectives on own initiative
• Committed to continuous self-development
• A willingness to work long and potentially unsociable hours if required

Teamwork

• The ability to work as part of a team and a willingness to make an effective contribution to the work of the team.
• The ability to lead specific areas of teamwork, and ensure other team members are aware of their role, responsibilities, and are accountable
• Understanding the dynamics of team work when this incorporates other organisations and individuals that need to be influenced / supported in achieving the team goals

Organisation, Self-Management, Response to Change

• Must have a strong alignment to the Wesport values
• Able to reflect, learn, evaluate, and translate learning into action
• Excellent personal organisation skills
• Able to prioritise/meet deadlines as and when required
• Able to cope with unexpected and stressful situations
• An ability to chair and organise meetings, seminars, conferences and other related activities
• Friendly & professional approach
• The ability to work collaboratively
• A willingness to keeps abreast of developments and contribute to the planning and implementation of change
• A willingness to work towards a wide range of agendas, and enable the linking together of individuals from different organisations into an effective team with shared goals and responsibilities
• Able to lead the implementation of change in relation to role responsibilities in line with Wesport’s strategy, vision and mission and a constantly changing national / local sector landscape.

Physical Requirements for this role

• Able to undertake all the physical requirements of the job, such as frequent travel to a variety of external locations
• Able to work occasional evenings and weekends if required

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.
How to apply: Apply to:- Melonie Gregory - Chief Operating Officer melonie.gregory@wesport.org.uk All applicants are required to complete a Wesport application form. Application for employment The information you provide on this form will be used as the basis for short-listing and selection. You are advised to read all the background information carefully and ensure that you complete the form as fully as possible. The job description provides you with information about the job and all the skills, experience, personal qualities and qualifications needed to carry it out. Please return your completed form via email to melonie.gregory@wesport.org.uk If you do not hear from us by the interview date shown on the job advertisement please assume on this occasion you have been unsuccessful. Post title: Post reference (if applicable): Where did you FIRST see the post advertised? Personal information Title: First name: Surname: Middle names: Address: Postcode: E-mail: Mobile no.: Home telephone no.: Work telephone no.: National insurance no.: Please confirm your current status in terms of entitlement to work in the UK: Tick one British citizen 0 Overseas national with permission to work in the UK 0 If yes, Please outline reasons below:- Overseas national currently without permission to work in the UK 0 If employment is offered, you will be required to produce original documentary evidence confirming your entitlement to work in the UK. Please specify any language skills you possess, including level of competence Basic Conversational Fluent Qualifications Secondary/higher education Name of school, college, university Full or part-time From - To Qualifications and grades Vocational training and/or professional memberships held Name of course Qualification/Level obtained Date obtained Employment experience Current or most recent employment Name and address of employer: Position held: Brief description of duties and responsibilities: Period of appointment: (dd/mm/yy) Full or part-time: Salary/ pay grade: Period of notice required: Reason for leaving: Previous employment, (most recent first) Please specify exact employment dates (DD/MM/YY) Name and Address of Employer Post Held Full or Part-Time From To Reason for leaving Additional information Please give reasons why you wish to apply for this post. Give details of any experience or training you have had which you consider to be relevant, together with any other information you wish to add in support of your application. When doing so please refer to the skills & experience referenced within the job description and personal specification as this will be used to form the basis of the shortlisting process. Are you related to or have a relationship with a Trustee or employee of the West of England Sport Trust (Wesport). Yes 0 No 0 If so, please give details: Referees Please provide the details of two referees. One of your referees should be your current or most recent line manager or employer. If you have had no or limited previous employment please provide referees from your school, college or training scheme or from any voluntary/temporary work. Do not include family members or friends. References will only be taken up if you are offered the role. Current/most recent employer Please give the name of a referee from your current or most recent employer with line management responsibility for your role. Name (including title): Position: Address: e-mail address: Telephone no.: Second referee Name (including title): Position: Address: e-mail address: Telephone no.: Signature: Date: Please PRINT name: If you are sending this application form to Wesport by e-mail then in the absence of this signature you should note that the e-mailing of this application constitutes your personal certification that the details in this application are correct. Equal opportunities in employment The information on equality and diversity that you are asked to provide in your application (i.e. gender, ethnic origin, disability etc) is detached from your application upon receipt and will not be used as part of the selection process. This information will be treated in the strictest confidence and will only be used to help Wesport monitor the effectiveness of its Equality & Diversity work in this area. Please ensure you complete your date of birth as well as your age. Gender: 0 Female: 0 Male: 0 Other: 0 Prefer not to say: Age Date of birth: Is your gender identity different to the gender you were assigned at birth: 0 Yes: 0 No: 0 Prefer not to say: Nationality and ethnicity What is your nationality? In addition, please mark one box below to describe your ethnic group: 0 White – British 0 White - Irish 0 Other White background 0 Black or Black British – African 0 Black or Black British – Caribbean 0 Other Black background 0 Asian or Asian British – Bangladeshi 0 Asian or Asian British – Indian 0 Asian or Asian British – Pakistani 0 Other Asian background 0 Mixed – White and Asian 0 Mixed – White and Black African 0 Mixed – White and Black Caribbean 0 Other Mixed background 0 Other ethnic background 0 Chinese 0 Prefer not to say Disability *Please read the definitions overleaf before completing this section. 1. Do you consider yourself to be disabled? 0 Yes 0 No 0 Prefer not to say 2. Do you meet the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and DDA 2005 definition of disability? 0 Yes 0 No 0Prefer not to say 3. If you answered Yes to either question please tick below: 0 Specific learning disability (such as dyslexia or dyspraxia) 0 General learning disability (such as Down’s Syndrome) 0 Cognitive impairment (such as autistic spectrum disorder or resulting from a head injury) 0 Long standing illness or health condition (such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease or epilepsy) 0 Mental health condition (such as depression or schizophrenia) 0 Physical impairment or mobility issues (Such as difficulty using arms or using a wheelchair or crutches 0 Deaf or serious hearing impairment 0 Blind or serious visual impairment 0 Other type of disability 0 Prefer not to say Guidance on completing the questions on disability Wesport recognises that there are two definitions of disability; the social model of disability and the definition of disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and DDA 2005. Question 1 refers to the social model of disability definition, this definition describes a disabled person as someone who has an impairment and experiences externally imposed barriers which disables them, or who self identifies as a disabled person. Impairments are long-term characteristics of an individual that affect their functioning and/or appearance. Many people who have an impairment or ill health would not consider themselves to be disabled. Impairment covers both physical and mental impairments and includes sensory impairments, learning disabilities and mental illness. Some disabilities may not be immediately obvious, such as diabetes or depression. Question 2 refers to the Disability Discrimination Act definition. A person has a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and DDA 2005 if they have a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities (for example, lifting and carrying or mobility). A long-term adverse effect means the effect has lasted, or is expected to last for 12 months. A long-term adverse effect include those which are likely to reoccur; e.g. if it is likely to reoccur at least once within the 12 month period following the last occurrence. Please answer questions 1 and 2 by ticking yes or no or if you prefer not to say you should tick the relevant box. If you answer yes to either or both of the first two questions then please also answer question 3.