Non-Executive Director - Safeguarding

Sportandrecreation; Loughborough; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading sports organization in England seeks a Non-Executive Director (Safeguarding) to join its Board. This voluntary role involves providing strategic insight for safeguarding governance and ensuring compliance with legal frameworks. Candidates must have extensive safeguarding expertise and strong interpersonal skills. The position requires 1-2 days of involvement per month, with travel expenses reimbursed. Commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential, as is the ability to create a collaborative board environment.

Benefits

Travel and accommodation expenses reimbursed

Opportunity to influence safeguarding practices

Qualifications

• Extensive senior-level safeguarding expertise, ideally in sport, education or another regulated sector.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation and statutory frameworks.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an ambassador for One Swim England and its vision and values.
• Provide strategic safeguarding insight for evidence-based decisions.
• Advise the Board on safeguarding risk and emerging practices.

Skills

Extensive senior-level safeguarding expertise

Understanding of safeguarding legislation

Excellent interpersonal skills

Job description

About Us

Swim England is the recognised national governing body for swimming, artistic swimming, diving and water polo in England. We help people learn how to swim, enjoy the water safely, and maximise their potential in aquatic sport at every level — from community participation to world‑class performance. We work with clubs, coaches, teachers and volunteers across the country to create safe, inclusive and inspiring aquatic environments. As a membership organisation and charity, we are committed to supporting the growth of our sports, promoting physical and mental wellbeing, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a lifelong love of the water.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and insightful Non‑Executive Director (Safeguarding) to join the Swim England Board. This strategic leadership role is central to shaping and strengthening safeguarding culture, governance and assurance across the organisation. This is a voluntary, governance‑level position suited to individuals with substantial safeguarding expertise and a commitment to Swim England’s vision of great experiences in water, for all, for life.

Key Responsibilities

• Act in the best interests of Swim England with honesty, integrity and good faith.
• Serve as an ambassador for One Swim England and its vision and values.
• Provide strategic safeguarding and welfare insight to inform evidence‑based decisions.
• Support continuous improvement in safeguarding culture, systems, policy frameworks and assurance.
• Advise the Board on safeguarding risk, emerging practice, sector standards and expectations.
• Participate in working groups, advisory meetings or reviews where specialist input is required.
• Contribute to an inclusive, collaborative and effective Board environment.
• Champion and role‑model Swim England’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Extensive senior‑level safeguarding expertise, ideally in sport, education or another regulated sector.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, statutory frameworks and learning‑based best practice.
• Understanding of the legal duties and liabilities of corporate and charity Directors.
• Open‑minded, with the ability to listen, consider diverse perspectives and constructively challenge.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills across varied audiences.
• Strong judgement, integrity, intellectual curiosity and evidence‑informed decision‑making capability.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and alignment with Swim England’s purpose and values.

Desirable

• Knowledge of, or enthusiasm for, aquatic and membership sports.

Terms of Engagement

• Approximately 1–2 days per month, including Board meetings and occasional working group involvement.
• This is an unpaid voluntary role. Travel and accommodation expenses are reimbursed in line with Swim England policy.

How to apply

To apply email with your CV and cover letter to: [e-mail]

Please be advised that we cannot offer visa sponsorship and that you must have right to work in the UK to apply or be considered for this role. If you are a non UK/EU National, you must have an appropriate working Visa to undertake employment. You must also be working within the UK to apply or be considered for this role, due to the public liability insurance Swim England holds.

Swim England is committed to inclusion and embracing the spirit of all equalities legislation. We actively encourage applications from disabled people and from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Candidates who opt into our guaranteed interview scheme will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria. We will make reasonable adjustments for accessibility where required. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process in line with the Equality Act 2010. The organisation may employ positive action where candidates from under‑represented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Swim England is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.