Help Wanted: Volunteer Club Welfare Officer (CWO)

Join the York Eagles Family as Our New Volunteer Club Welfare Officer!

We're on the lookout for a passionate and caring individual to join our team as a Volunteer Club Welfare Officer. This role is super important in making sure all our players, coaches, officials and other volunteers feel safe and supported.

As our Club Welfare Officer, you'll be the go-to person for all things related to player welfare and safeguarding. You'll help us keep our club a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone. If you've got a knack for understanding child protection issues and love working with young athletes, we want to hear from you!

Interested? Read the job description below (or see the PDF) and reach out via email to apply. This is a fantastic chance to make a real difference in our community and help nurture the next generation of basketball stars.

Don't just sit on the sidelines but be a part of the York Eagles family team!

Download Job Description in PDF Format

JOB DESCRIPTION: Volunteer Club Welfare Officer (CWO)

LOCATION: York Eagles Junior Basketball Club, York, United Kingdom

POSITION: Volunteer Club Welfare Officer (CWO)

REPORTS TO: York Eagles Committee

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: The Club Welfare Officer (CWO) is responsible for promoting and ensuring the welfare and safeguarding of all members, particularly children and young people, within the York Eagles Junior Basketball Club. This role involves implementing and monitoring safeguarding policies and procedures, providing advice and support on welfare issues, and ensuring compliance with Basketball England's safeguarding standards. CWOs are the first point of contact for concerns and linking with the national governing body. Safeguarding involves not only protecting young people and adults but also educating club members on the latest best practice guidelines and what to do if they have concerns that abuse may be taking place elsewhere in someone’s life.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Basketball England Membership: 
• Application Form: Complete an application form detailing relevant experience, qualifications, and employment history.
• Self-Declaration: Provide a self-declaration of any relevant convictions or investigations.
• References: Provide at least two references, including one from a previous role involving work with children or young people.
• DBS Check: Undergo or prove an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check within the last three (3) years and keep up to date per Basketball England requirements. 
• Interview: Attend an interview with at least two club representatives, focusing on safeguarding knowledge and suitability for the role.
• Safeguarding Training: Within one (1) month of appointment complete Basketball England’s Safeguarding Training Course and keep up to date with any additional training requirements from Basketball England.
• Club Welfare Officer (CWO) Training: Within one (1) month of appointment complete Basketball England’s Club Welfare Officer (CWO) training and keep up to date with any additional training requirements from Basketball England.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Willingness to learn Basketball England’s Safeguarding Policies and practices including Code of Ethics & Conducts, Duty of Care guidance etc.
• Willingness to learn basic knowledge of core legislation, government guidance and national framework for child protection
• Willingness to learn the club’s role and responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of children, young people and adults
• Willingness to learn basic knowledge of roles and responsibilities of statutory agencies (Children’s Social Care, Police and Local Safeguarding Children Boards)
• Willingness to learn local arrangements and contacts for reporting procedures
• Willingness to learn awareness of equality issues and safeguarding
• Willingness to learn Basic knowledge of the different forms of abuse that can occur and how abusers target and ‘groom’ organizations to abuse children and adults
• Willingness to learn boundaries of the role of club welfare officer

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Safeguarding Policies: Develop, implement, and review the club's safeguarding policies and procedures in line with Basketball England's guidelines.
• Training and Education: Ensure all club members, coaches, and volunteers receive appropriate safeguarding training and understand their responsibilities. Promote and raise awareness of the benefits of safeguarding for all at the club. Assist club members to understand their duty of care. 
• Support and Advice: Act as the first point of contact for staff, volunteers, parents, children and all other participants. Where concerns about someone’s welfare, poor practice or abuse are identified, act as the first point of contact with the Lead Safeguarding Officer at Basketball England. Provide advice and support on welfare and safeguarding issues to club members, coaches, parents, and volunteers. Work with others in the club to ensure a positive child-centered environment. Assist club members with welfare-related issues including advising on training and vetting checks. Advise the club’s management group/committee on welfare
• Reporting: Manage and report any safeguarding concerns or incidents to the appropriate authorities, ensuring confidentiality and sensitivity. Implement the club’s reporting and recording procedures, and report to the York Eagles committee as appropriate. Participate in committee meetings.
• Compliance: Ensure the club complies with all safeguarding legislation and Basketball England's safeguarding standards.
• Communication: Act as the main point of contact for safeguarding issues within the club and liaise with Basketball England and other relevant organizations. Maintain and publicize contact details for local Children’s Social Care, the Police and Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). To ensure children and Adults have a voice in the club, and to promote their engagement in decision making
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records of all safeguarding concerns, training, and communications.

SPECIFICATION:

• Experience: Ideally, previous experience in a safeguarding or welfare role, preferably within a sports club, youth organization, or school. Must not be a member of the York Eagles Coaching team to avoid conflicts of interest. 
• Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion and empathy. Willingness to work with the York Eagles Committee as part of a team.
• Qualifications: Relevant safeguarding qualifications or willingness to undertake necessary training. Basic administration and computer skills. Basic advice and support-provision skills. Communication skills, including use of social media
• Attributes: Commitment to promoting the welfare of children and young people, with a proactive and approachable attitude.

TIME COMMITMENTS: 

As the club has been growing there are many opportunities for the CWO to develop and implement the necessary safeguarding policies, so there is a definite need for immediate time commitment.   Ongoing time commitments would include committee meetings (currently held monthly) and the annual general meeting (AGM).  Assisting with safeguarding issues as they arise will also be required. 

REMUNERATION:

This is a volunteer role, however:

• York Eagles will pay for Basketball England Club Membership.
• York Eagles will pay for Basketball England's Safeguarding course.
• York Eagles will pay for Basketball England's Club Welfare Officer course.
• York Eagles will pay for Basketball England's enhanced DBS check and/or renewal as required. 

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit their application form, self-declaration, and references to theyorkeagles@gmail.com. For more information, please contact the York Eagles Junior Basketball Club at theyorkeagles@gmail.com.

2025-Mar-17T00:04Z - M. Evans - Updated to include slight changes in job description.