Host organisation: NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) and Sport Wales
Posted: 10th May 2013
Location:Cardiff
Salary:Voluntary position. Reasonable expenses will be paid
Role Title: Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Strategic Group in Wales, which coordinates the National multi-agency strategic plan to safeguard children in sport
Experience Level:Experience of operating as a senior level manager with experience of chairing meetings, multi-agency collaborative working and high level influencing skills
Term of office:Initial term of 2 years
Commitment:5-10 days per year including 3-4 half day meetings per year
Closing date:Friday 24th May 2013. Apply by sending a CV and supporting statement to required interviews will be held on Tuesday 25th June 2013 (Cardiff).
Role in summary
The Strategic Safeguarding Group was launched in2010 by the Child Protection in Sport Unit and Sport Wales. The group are seeking a high calibre independent Chair to drive the delivery of the vision of ensuring every child and young person can participate in sport and physical recreation in a safe and enjoyable environment.
It is expected that the role will require a voluntary commitment of between 5-10 days per year.
The group are seeking an individual with experience of playing a leadership role and influencing change in a multi-agency collaborative environment. They will also have a strong commitment to the aims of the Group, and the ability to Chair effectively.
Further Information
The CPSU and Sport Wales have been working together with other key stakeholders in sport and the statutory sector to develop a strategic and cross sport approach to enable the sector to create safe sporting environments for young people.
In January 2013 an initial consultation event was held with key stakeholders. Based on feedback from this event, a new long term strategic plan will be drawn up based on the Welsh Governments RBA model.
This sets the multi-agency context for all organisations roles and contributions to safeguarding children and young people in and through sport in Wales.
The long term outcome will be that every child and young person in Walescan participate in sport and physical recreation in a safe and enjoyable environment.
What are we seeking to change?
- Every sporting organisation has a safeguarding children and young people plan in place supported by policies, procedures and practices that are reviewed regularly
- Everyone understands and acts on their responsibilities to safeguard and protect children and young people and has access to appropriate training
- Children, young people and their parents are aware of their rights and know who to turn to for help
- Every person working with children and young people in the sports industry is subject to safe recruitment processes
- Mechanisms are in place to enable sport, recreation and statutory bodies to work together at a strategic and local level to safeguard children and young people.
To realise this vision the Strategic Group was set up to drive the achievement of the outcome in the scorecard. The group is currently looking for an Independent Chair.
The Role
Role Purpose:
- To ensure that a plan is created and delivers the outcome and priorities within the Safeguarding report card.
- To ensure that the Strategic Group has appropriate representation and has the ability to coordinate others to take action to maximise impact across Wales.
- To provide independent scrutiny, challenge, leadership and strategic vision to the Group.
Key activities:
- To ensure that the group works well together by providing leadership and clear strategic direction.
- To bring impartiality and objectivity to decision making.
- To foster a culture of teamwork, communication, collective decision-making and responsibility, ensuring that all group members are given the opportunity to express their views before any important decision is taken.
- To ensure that the group and any individual task groups interact and communicate effectively and that the Terms of Reference of any task groups and their membership reflect strategic and operational requirements.
- To promote a culture of progressive learning and continuous improvement, ensuring that learning is captured and informs future planning/activities.
- To ensure the efficient conduct of the group’s meetings and monitor the implementation of decisions including progress against strategic objectives and operational plans.
- To act as an ambassador for the Strategic Safeguarding Group and Task Groups, raising the profile of this work through appropriate networking and media opportunities.
- To identify and maximise opportunities for additional funding or other forms of external
Key Contacts
- Director of Child Protection in Sport Unit and National Manager from Sport Wales
- Members of the Strategic Group
- NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit Team
Person Specification
Experience
- Experience of playing a leadership role
- Experience of successfully influencing change in a multi-agency collaborative environment
- Empathy with the needs of children and young people and an understanding of current safeguarding issues (a professional background in safeguarding at a senior level would be useful but is not essential)
- Substantial experience of chairing meetings at a senior level
- Experience of dealing with the media and positive promotion of a vision/strategy to a range of different stakeholders
- Experience of strategic/operational planning and delivery
Skills
- Strong leadership, chairing and influencing skills
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and the media.
- Ability to lead, motivate and involve individuals and groups in an inclusive and strategic way across organisations and sectors
- Have/foster extensive networks and relationships with organisations and individuals relevant to the strategic priorities
- Excellent interpersonal and management skills, with tact, diplomacy and effective consultation abilities.
- Ability to be creative, innovative and solve problems with limited resources.
Other Information
The Strategic Group meets quarterly, usually in Cardiff but there may be a requirement to attend other occasional events.
For more information or an informal discussion about the role please contact Anne Tiivas, Director of the Child Protection in Sport Unit mobile: 07976 986386