Safeguarding Officer - Leamington Spa, United Kingdom - Riding for the Disabled

Description

Specific Responsibilities

To provide ongoing strategic development, support and administration for effective safeguarding in RDA by way of:

• developing and delivering the action plan and ongoing objectives from the BEF Audit/ Framework Plan and RDA Safeguarding strategy
• continuous improvement and relevance of all Safeguarding materials and resources, to ensure RDA UK's Safeguarding policy and statutory obligations and expectations are met, including relevant actions following BEF Safeguarding Action Team (SAT) meetings
• handling communication of Safeguarding reports, concerns and requests for guidance from the RDA UK network
• Safeguarding Case Management support to Membership Services Manager and other RDA UK Safeguarding staff, as appropriate
• working collaboratively with the RDA UK Safeguarding Lead and other relevant RDA UK staff and volunteers to plan, deliver and review projects that improve outcomes for children and adults at risk, within the RDA UK network
• liaising with and advising other members of the RDA UK team and working groups on Safeguarding best practice, policies and requirements, including specific projects or events
• dealing promptly with enquiries received from RDA Groups about policies, procedures and training requirements/ needs and responding to any feedback given
• maintenance of the Safeguarding content on the MyRDA website, to ensure that it is current, clear and relevant
• providing RDA Groups around the UK with guidance, and signposting them to relevant providers of Disclosure Checks; ensuring policies and resources are kept up to date
• coordinating the delivery of regular accredited training courses (both in person and virtual) and training/workshops, in conjunction with regional trainers and relevant external bodies
• developing, maintaining and administering Safeguarding e-learning courses and materials
• provision of accurate data analysis, recommendations, updates and case management report statistics, for RDA UK Board
• acting as Safeguarding Lead at RDA National Championships and other key events, including responsibility for the duty phone
• acting as Safeguarding Lead at RDA National Training Centre
• ensuring related policies are adhered to including Health & Safety, GDPR/ Data Protection, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion etc.

To provide specific Membership Services support and administration, within the Membership Services Team, by way of:

• providing additional support for the Membership Services Team via the main enquiry line
• Supporting with the coordination of the RDA UK Group Annual Return process in conjunction with Communications Team and Membership Services Administrators and providing ongoing related support and guidance to the RDA Groups
• taking the lead on Group Mergers/Closures/Incorporations and providing support and signposting for advice to any new groups in the process of opening, or enquiries from those interested in setting up a new group
• annual membership and insurance payments/renewals process in March/April each year and giving interim support and guidance
• supporting delivery of the Membership Services Survey
• assisting with wider policy review/development and standardisation/tracking, both on an expected annual and as-needed basis during the year

To be pro-active in communicating with RDA groups

• Listen to the achievements and / or concerns of individual groups
• Explain the ways in which National Office can support and enable each group to flourish and meet RDA UK and wider policies and requirements
• Visit groups to build and enhance relationships with RDA volunteers, to celebrate achievements, listen to feedback and encourage good practice
• Seek to promote more widely the best of what is achieved and recognise best practice

General

• To undertake such other duties as the line manager shall from time to time determine
• To be flexible in working from other offices in the UK as required for the effective delivery of the role
• To demonstrate the values and cultural aspirations of RDA in all work that is undertaken
• To ensure due consideration is always given to our charitable aims and objectives and that this is demonstrated in all activities undertaken
• To attend and service the National Championships, providing support leading up to the event as requested, as well as supporting the event itself

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience of implementing and delivering safeguarding policies and resources within a comparable environment (e.g. social care, education, youth or community work with young people/adults at risk)
• Proven experience of case management process from initial report/concern to conclusion
• Familiarity with Disclosure Check processes and requirements
• Experience of delivering and implementing safeguarding training and development
• Proven experience of working in a safeguarding advisory capacity. Experience of promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and/or holding a recognised Safeguarding qualification e.g. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Able to work independently with confidence
• Able to use initiative without close supervision, and able to effectively and proactively manage own workload
• Able to meet deadlines
• Ability to manage difficult, emotive and complex situations and cases
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Positive and calm approach and outlook
• Assertive
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Observes absolute confidentiality at all times
• Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Desire to continuously improve own knowledge, awareness and training, and to support others in the same
• Excellent listening and empathy skills
• Ability to build trust and to motivate and enthuse others
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including a professional telephone manner
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to establish, sustain and disengage from relationships during case management, as necessary
• Presents and promotes a non-judgmental and ethical approach
• Empathy with aims and values of RDA
• Experience of working with volunteers

Desirable Criteria

• Up to date knowledge of current UK law and legislation regarding safeguarding of children and adults at risk, and related, recognised Safeguarding qualifications
• Good working knowledge of MyConcern case management software or similar
• Good working knowledge of MS SharePoint
• Use of databases
• Customer service experience
• Enjoys building professional relationships
• Some knowledge of equestrian world
• Knowledge of RDA structure
• Safeguarding Officer - Fixed Term Contract - one year
• To provide focused development and ongoing review of the RDA UK Safeguarding Strategy, in liaison with the RDA UK Board and relevant internal and external stakeholders, and to administer the ongoing development and delivery of safeguarding policies, resources and training to support RDA Groups and RDA UK staff in meeting statutory requirements.

Location: RDA National Office (Lowlands Equestrian Centre, Warwickshire)
Contract: Fixed Term Contract, Full time
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Contract: Full time - 37 hours per week
Benefits: Competitive

Closing date:

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