Reports to: Head of Operations
Location: Scottish Youth Football Association, Hampden Park, Scotland
Contract Type: Full-time permanent (on completion of 6-month probationary period)
Salary: £28k - £32k pro rata (dependent on experience)
Closing date: 14th December 2025
The Scottish Youth Football Association (SYFA) is looking for a driven, enthusiastic and highly organised Child Wellbeing & Protection Officer. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who loves a fast-paced environment, has experience in child wellbeing & protection and wants to make a real difference to youth football in Scotland.
Key responsibilities
- To lead and manage the SYFA safeguarding work in line with legislation, SYFA and SFA safeguarding policy, procedures, regulations, standards and guidance
- To lead and manage on Child Wellbeing and Protection cases, including but not limited to protection enquiries, complex cases and administrative tasks promptly and in line with requirements and guidance.
- Manage incoming complaints or concerns (relating to wellbeing and protection) from members, parents and external bodies in a timely and professional manner, adhering to the following process:
- Record and acknowledge
- Investigate and obtain necessary information
- Compile official written reply
- Provide support in delivering any necessary actions
- Ensure compliance with Complaints Management Procedure and Child Wellbeing & Protection Policy
- Administer the Protection Panel process, including preparing paperwork, confirming panel members and acting as Compliance Officer for panel hearings.
- To provide advice, guidance and support to clubs in their adoption and implementation of policies and procedures in keeping children and young people safe.
- To conduct spot checks to certify clubs and teams are meeting minimum criteria in terms of safe selection procedures.
- To provide administrative support in the appointment of adults into regulated work with children, including PVGs, self-declaration forms and references, this includes participating in panel discussions to review suitability
- To build supportive and effective relationships with member leagues and clubs to support the implementation of good children’s wellbeing and protection practice.
To carry out any other operational and administrative tasks as required from time to time
Person specification
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Knowledge of current safeguarding legislation, policy and practice relating to children, young people and vulnerable adults at risk.
- Experience of working in a child protection and welfare role.
- Experience in the implementation of policies and procedures.
- Experience to analyse information and make decisions within an appropriate procedural framework.
- Experience of having managed complaints / concerns, including investigations, compiling responses and report writing with evidence and information.
- Awareness and understanding of Children’s Wellbeing in Scottish Football policies, procedures and safeguards.
- Excellent communication skills, including accurate, clear written skills and good telephone skills and manner.
- Ability to provide clear advice in sensitive situations
- Proven experience in the application of office systems such as Microsoft Office, in particular Excel, Word and Access and learning and adoption of SFA technology systems
- Ability to maintain records in an ordered and confidential manner.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience. Child protection and welfare qualification or recognised child protection and welfare training.
Competencies
- Demonstrates commitment, patience, and resilience in an environment of change
- Passionate about equality and children’s rights in action
- Personally responsible for building up own experience & filling knowledge gaps
- Shows respect, integrity, professionalism and sensitivity in treatment of others
- Effectively balances competing priorities
Additional Requirements
- Satisfactory PVG Scheme Membership
- The ability to travel across Scotland
- Flexibility to work some evenings and occasional weekends
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to syfarecruitment@scottish-football.com by 6pm on 14th December 2025.
Applications which do not include a cover letter will not be considered.