Working at the RFU means being part of the ‘bigger picture’ at England Rugby: to be rooted in our purpose, which is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union & develop the sport for future generations.
If our purpose resonates with you, and you recognise the value that sport can bring to people’s lives, we’d love to work with you.
Job Title: Safeguarding Development Officer
Department: Legal and Governance / Rugby Development
Reports to: Dual reporting – Safeguarding Team (Primary) and Rugby Development Regional Teams (Secondary)
Direct report(s): None
Salary: c.£35,000 per annum
Job Level: Implement
Location: Home based, covering one of 7 regions (London & South East, South Central, East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West). The South West region is reserved for internal colleagues.
Travel Requirements: Extensive, within regions; occasional travel to Allianz Stadium
Employment Type: Permanent
Working Hours: Full time – 35 hours per week. Frequent evening and weekend working is essential, flexible working will be supported, with a particular focus on Sundays during the rugby season.
The Role
The RFU has recently launched Plan 2030: “More Than A Game”, a strategy to grow rugby across England for the next five years, with four goals: Play, Perform, Follow and Fund. In ‘Play’ we’re aiming to have an additional 50,000 registered players and more people playing rugby for longer. One way to unlock this growth is by transforming community rugby delivery through seven Regional Growth Partnership Boards that drive participation, build partnerships and unlock funding opportunities within their region.
The RFU is committed to safeguarding and protecting everyone involved in rugby. Safeguarding Development Officers will help shape the safeguarding framework, drive meaningful change, and support safer rugby environments. Post holders will work closely with regional rugby delivery teams, internal and external stakeholders, and safeguarding volunteers across clubs, constituent bodies, and referee societies. The role focuses on visiting and undertaking audits with clubs and organisations to inform developmental action planning, providing clear guidance to embed safeguarding compliance and best practice locally. Officers will also contribute to a range of national and local safeguarding projects.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Assurance and Audit Programmes
- Drive safeguarding development and improvement at the regional level through the RFU’s audit programme
- Complete robust and collaborative safeguarding reports for clubs and organisations, sharing good practice, action plans and monitoring where necessary
- Share regular regional insights with the National RFU Safeguarding Team to inform safeguarding advice and practice
Training Delivery
- Assist in the design and development of safeguarding training, learning materials and education resources relevant to rugby
- Deliver whole club/organisation and individual bespoke training and presentations to improve safeguarding knowledge and practice
Support for Rugby
- Build strong relationships with Constituent Body Safeguarding Managers and external partners, including Active Partnership Sport Welfare Officers, to ensure that member clubs receive the highest possible standards of support
- Support the work of Constituent Body Safeguarding Managers and Club Safeguarding Officers, contributing to their networking and training
- Collaborate with deployers/employers of staff, volunteers and coaches to develop a robust safeguarding culture, ensuring the voice of children is central
- Assist clubs in implementing Codes of Conduct which promote the welfare of all
- Provide support to Discipline colleagues where necessary
- Work with the National RFU Safeguarding Team to embed learning and improve practice following safeguarding incidents
General
- Actively collaborate with colleagues to contribute to the development and delivery of the current strategic, business and operational plans
- Act as an ambassador for the best interests of the RFU, including the promotion of our culture and core values
- Undertake other duties as may be required from time to time, in line with the responsibilities of the post and the needs of the organisation
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
- Substantial experience in safeguarding, either through a professional role or within a sporting environment
- Experience of safeguarding development, which may include conducting audits, report writing and managing action plans
- Comprehensive knowledge of relevant safeguarding legislation, with a commitment to continued professional development
- Ability to work on multiple projects at once, prioritising and communicating priorities
- Proven ability to build and maintain positive relationships with volunteers and stakeholders
- Ability to work independently and with high levels of autonomy
- Effective communicator able to confidently deliver clear written and verbal messages
- Strong collaboration, influencing and partnership management skills, with the ability to challenge constructively
- Valid UK driving licence
- Committed to embodying the RFU culture by using our core values – Put The Team First, Shape The Future, Respect Each Other – to guide day‑to‑day decisions and interactions
- Committed to actively contributing to an inclusive culture in all role behaviours
- Relevant professional qualification or equivalent (e.g., social work, health, education, law, policing, probation) with current registration where applicable
- Experience in one or more of the following: auditing; training development/quality assurance; safeguarding at events/competitions; policy/guideline writing; safeguarding adults; project management
- Experience of receiving and responding to safeguarding concerns inline with organisational policy, statutory guidance and best practice
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Smartsheet and related software
- Recent, relevant understanding and practical experience of the community sports environment, including support needs of volunteers
Additional Information
- We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If there is anything we could do to support you through your application or to provide the best environment for your interviews, please reach out to recruitment@rfu.com.
- During your application, we will ask questions about your identity. This information is considered highly confidential and will not be seen by hiring managers. You can find out more about why we ask these questions.
- This role will require an enhanced DBS check.
Benefits
- A variety of corporate discounts
- Priority access to purchase match tickets
- 25% discount in Rugby Store and EnglandRugby.com
- 25 days of annual leave
- Your birthday day off
- Free access to the stadium gym
- Life assurance of 4× your basic salary, income protection scheme and Employee Assistance Programme providing anonymous and confidential emotional and practical support 24/7
- Pension Scheme – the RFU will double match your individual contribution up to 10% of salary
Equality & Diversity
We welcome applications from disabled people, LGBTQIA+ people, people from ethnically diverse communities, people of faith, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, women and non‑binary people. The RFU is committed to creating inclusive spaces and supporting colleagues through peer‑to‑peer support and development opportunities.
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