Role Description - Welfare Officer at Lancaster and Morecambe Hockey Club

As a Welfare Officer at Lancaster and Morecambe Hockey Club, your primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of all our members, particularly young people. You will:

Role Responsibilities:

Promote a young person-centred approach, fostering a safe and inclusive environment.
Support the club in implementing its safeguarding plan.
Act as the point of contact for England Hockey Ethics and Welfare Team.
Be the point of contact for club members concerning concerns related to young people's welfare or adult behaviour toward them.
Maintain records of concerns while ensuring confidentiality.
Aid the club in implementing safeguarding best practices and addressing breaches of the England Hockey Code of Ethics and Behavior.
Manage Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, including verifying identity documents.
Ensure staff and volunteers have up-to-date safeguarding qualifications and DBS checks.
Serve as a member of the club's management committee to advise on organizational safeguarding matters.
Collaborate with the committee to review safeguarding practices following investigations.
Work with club members to create a safe and enjoyable environment for young people.
Maintain contact details for local children's social care services and police for emergencies.

Experience & Knowledge:

Understand your role and responsibilities in safeguarding young people within the club.
Experience in a safeguarding role is valuable but not essential.
Familiarity with England Hockey's Safeguarding and Protecting Young People in Hockey Policy & Procedures and the club's policies.
Basic knowledge of core legislation and government guidance.
Awareness of inclusion, diversity, and safeguarding issues.

Skills:

Focus on young people's well-being.
Active listener and non-judgmental.
Basic administration skills.
Effective communication with all members, including young people and adults.
Interpersonal skills and a calm and approachable demeanour.
Accurate record-keeping.
Ability to promote club policies, procedures, and resources.

Training:

Attend the Time to Listen (TTL) Workshop.
For those with no previous safeguarding experience, attend the UK Coaching 'Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport' workshop.
Be prepared to undergo further training as needed.

Please note that this role description is adaptable and subject to change based on the evolving needs of the position. Dedication to safeguarding is essential to maintaining a secure and inclusive environment at our club.