Matchday Safeguarding Steward

About the Safeguarding Team

Our dedicated team is committed to creating a secure and supportive environment, ensuring that everyone involved with our club feels safe and valued.

At the Academy, we implement robust safeguarding policies tailored to protect our young athletes. We conduct regular risk assessments and provide tailored training for coaches and staff, focusing on recognising and addressing potential safeguarding concerns.

Working closely with other teams, we ensure that safeguarding measures are seamlessly integrated into all activities. Our aim is to protect our young talents so they can thrive on and off the pitch in a nurturing environment.

The Opportunity

This is an important matchday opportunity to help create a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all supporters, visitors, young people and vulnerable groups at the Stadium of Light.

Working as part of the matchday safety and stewarding operation, you will act as a key point of contact for safeguarding concerns within your designated area of the stadium. You will support the timely recording and referral of relevant information to the Stadium Designated Safeguarding Lead, communicate appropriate information to colleagues and help ensure safeguarding procedures are followed consistently.

The role will also involve supporting safeguarding reviews and audits, observing colleague practice when engaging with children, young people and vulnerable groups, and maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality at all times. You will assist with matchday experiences involving flag bearers, ball assistants and mascots, as well as supporting the Disability Access Officer in resolving any access or inclusion concerns that arise.

This is a rewarding role for someone who is committed to safeguarding, inclusion and continuous professional development, and who wants to make a positive difference to the experience of everyone attending matchdays.

What We Ask For

We are looking for someone with demonstrable safeguarding knowledge across a range of settings and diverse communities, including a strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, safeguarding issues and the needs of both children and adults at risk. You will take a child-centred approach, recognising and empowering the voice of the child, while ensuring that personalised care and support are considered for adults at risk.

You will have previous experience of working with children and adults at risk in demanding, busy environments. Experience of events is desirable, although not essential. You will be confident building and maintaining positive relationships with key stakeholders and will bring a clear commitment to equal opportunities, inclusion and challenging discrimination.

Strong interpersonal, influencing and communication skills are essential. You will be approachable, empathetic and non-judgemental, with the confidence to manage sensitive or difficult situations professionally. You will be a clear verbal communicator with excellent active-listening, information-assessment and accurate case-recording skills, including when working in busy and noisy matchday settings.

You will also be able to adapt to concerns of varying nature, use conflict-resolution skills to de-escalate situations in a calm and controlled way, and demonstrate a personal commitment to spectator safety and delivering a safe event. A willingness to learn and keep your safeguarding knowledge and skills up to date is essential.

An Enhanced DBS from Sunderland AFC is required.