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Safeguarding Officer
Swim England
Swim England is the national governing body for swimming, diving, water polo, open water swimming, and synchronised swimming in England. It forms part of British Swimming, a federation of the national governing bodies of England, Scotland, and Wales.
Job Posted- 1 Jul 2026
Status- Full Time
Location- England
Closing date- 17 Jul 2026
About the Role
We are seeking a knowledgeable and confident Safeguarding Officer (known internally as 'National Safe Aquatics Officer') to support the effective management of safeguarding across Swim England.
Reporting to the National Safe Aquatics Manager, you will manage a caseload of safeguarding cases and work closely with nominated Regions, Counties and Clubs to support lower-level safeguarding investigations. You will play a key role in promoting a positive safeguarding culture, ensuring best practice is embedded and that concerns are handled using a person-centred, proportionate and timely approach.
This role requires strong judgement, excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with volunteers, colleagues and external agencies as part of the wider safeguarding system.
Key Responsibilities
In this role you will:
- Manage a caseload of active safeguarding cases as directed by the National Safe Aquatics Manager.
- Take the lead on safeguarding investigations, adopting a person-centred approach to achieve appropriate and satisfactory outcomes.
- Provide guidance and support to clubs managing safeguarding concerns within a nominated region.
- Work closely with statutory agencies, including making referrals, attending meetings and contributing to multi-agency processes.
- Act as a key point of contact for independent investigators, ensuring they receive all relevant case information.
- Keep relevant internal and external stakeholders updated on safeguarding cases and any associated suspensions.
- Provide advice and information to members and clubs on safeguarding legislation, policies and procedures.
- Support Regions, Counties and Clubs on a wide range of safeguarding matters as part of a wider regional support network.
- Contribute to the development and publication of Wavepower and other safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Ensure best practice, new policies and updated guidance are effectively communicated across Swim England and its membership.
- Provide direct support to nominated Regional, County and Club Welfare Officers.
- Carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the role, in line with organisational policies and procedures.
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a safeguarding role or similar environment.
- Experience of working with volunteers or within voluntary organisations.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding processes and best practice.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong IT skills, with high levels of literacy and numeracy.
- Ability to assess and manage risk relating to children and adults.
- Confidence in responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns, complaints or disclosures.
- Sound decision-making skills, particularly in complex or sensitive situations.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- A commitment to always working to best practice standards.
Desirable
- Experience working in a similar role within a sports National Governing Body, local authority or charity.
- Experience supporting or managing lower-level safeguarding investigations.
Please be advised that we cannot offer visa sponsorship and that you must have right to work in the UK to apply or be considered for this role. If you are a non-UK/EU National, you must have an appropriate working Visa to undertake employment. You must also be working within the UK to apply or be considered for this role, due to the public liability insurance Swim England holds.
Swim England is committed to inclusion and embraces the spirit of equality legislation. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role are guaranteed an interview. We are also piloting a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Candidates who opt in to the scheme and demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. Applicants can indicate if they wish to opt in by answering the relevant question within the application form.
How to Apply
Please click APPLY NOW to begin the application process.