This is a sample role description (PDF) for a board safeguarding champion at an Active Partnership.
A board safeguarding champion should have the knowledge, skills and expertise to support the Board at a strategic level with safeguarding children and adults in sport.
This sample role description has been developed jointly with Ann Craft Trust.
What does a Board safeguarding champion do?
The board safeguarding champion is a volunteer recruited to join the board who has the knowledge, skills and expertise to support the board at a strategic level with safeguarding.
Duties and responsibilities
Working closely with the chair, CEO and safeguarding lead, the board champion should:
- be a strong advocate for creating a safer culture and encouraging change
- be available to listen to staff, volunteers and members; challenge any poor practice and learn from case reviews in order to strive for improvement
- take responsibility for reviewing the safeguarding risk register ensuring that it is current
- be responsible for monitoring the progress of the safeguarding implementation plan, bringing any areas of concern to the attention of the rest of the board members
- ensure that policies and procedures are reviewed and brought to the board for adoption as required
- maintain regular contact with the CEO and safeguarding lead, so as to provide support and keep up-to-date with progress and areas of concern
- seek to identify further training opportunities for you and board members to continue to develop your collective safeguarding knowledge
- support the chair and other board members with their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children and adults by encouraging questions and dialogue
- prepare in advance safeguarding papers and reports as required by the board
- present, lead discussion and engage others in conversations at board meetings about the organisation’s safeguarding priorities
- attend meetings, and events to meet stakeholders and better understand the organisation
- be a point of contact for staff and volunteers should someone wish to make a safeguarding complaint directly to the board
- be part of the communications team in the event of a serious incident
Whilst this role takes a lead on safeguarding, safeguarding is the collective responsibility of all board members therefore all must have an understanding of safeguarding and support the implementation of creating a safer culture.
We've developed safeguarding training for management board members, to book your place please visit our events page for upcoming courses.
Download the sample (PDF)Further information
See our safer recruitment pages for help and advice on general processes and procedures relating to this topic.
For a comparison of the main child safeguarding roles at different levels of sport and in related organisations, see Key safeguarding roles and responsibilities.