Safeguarding Review Panel - Panel Members

The Football Association [The FA] is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England. It is responsible for promoting and developing every level of the game, from grassroots through to the professional game, and generates significant revenue to support investment into English football each year.

The FA oversees England international teams across men's, women's, youth and disability football, as well as running the National League System and FA Competitions including the Emirates FA Cup, and Women's Adobe FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park, all with a purpose to inspire positive change through football.

Our game can tackle some of society's core challenges. It can bring communities together, nationally and locally. It can be a platform for inclusion, ensuring there is a place for all. It can get people active and promote wellbeing, often at a time when we need it most. With UEFA EURO 2028 – hosted in the UK and Ireland – on the horizon, we have an incredible opportunity to transform football across the country.

Now is the time to inspire positive change.

SAFEGUARDING REVIEW PANELS AND SAFEGUARDING APPEAL BOARDS

Safeguarding Review Panels are three-person panels which hear safeguarding cases and have the power to impose appropriate safeguards, interim suspensions and other orders against individuals in the game of football, where appropriate. Safeguarding Appeal Boards are three-person panels which hear, amongst other things, appeals of Safeguarding Review Panel decisions.

The FA wishes to appoint a number of independent Panel Members who have the appropriate experience of safeguarding legislation, regulations and policy in the context of football to sit on and/or chair Safeguarding Review Panels and/or Safeguarding Appeal Boards.

ESSENTIAL & DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED

Senior Legal – Specialist Panel Members

• A qualified solicitor or barrister with seven or more years' standing. King's Counsel level desirable but not mandatory.
• Significant and demonstrable safeguarding experience in family and/or criminal law.
• Substantial knowledge of relevant safeguarding legislation, regulations and policy and an understanding of how these are relevant in the context of football/sport.
• Demonstrable experience sitting on judicial or quasi-judicial panels.
• An ability to assess evidence and submissions put before a Safeguarding Review Panel/Safeguarding Appeal Board in an open, knowledgeable, and fair-minded way.
• Sound and objective judgement.
• Considerable experience in drafting reasoned judgments mandatory.
• Strong interpersonal skills, excellent listening, and communication skills along with integrity, impartiality, and high ethical standards.

OR

Safeguarding or Legal (Junior Barrister or Solicitor) – General Safeguarding Review Panel Members

• Significant and demonstrable safeguarding experience, either as a doctor, social worker, member of the police, junior barrister/solicitor in family law, or similar professions to all the foregoing.
• Experience in decision-making on safeguarding-related panels.
• Significant knowledge of relevant safeguarding legislation, regulations and policy and an understanding of how these are relevant in the context of football.
• An ability to assess evidence and submissions put before a Safeguarding Review Panel/Safeguarding Appeal Board in an open, knowledgeable and fair-minded way;
• Sound and objective judgement;
• Experience in drafting reasoned judgments would be valuable but is not mandatory;
• Strong interpersonal skills, excellent listening and communication skills;
• Integrity, impartiality and high ethical standards.

Please specify in your cover letter if you wish to be considered for the Specialist Panel Member, General Safeguarding Review Panel Member, or both.

TIME COMMITMENT

Senior Legal – Specialist Panel Members

Safeguarding Review Panels and Safeguarding Appeal Boards are convened on a frequent basis throughout the calendar year. Hearings take place over video conference, unless an in-person request has been approved. Specialist Panel Members are expected to make themselves available to fulfil their fair share of the cases arising in any given year.

An attendance fee is payable for Specialist Panel Members for their time spent preparing and attending Safeguarding Review Panels and/or Appeal Board hearings, which includes the drafting of written reasons. Reasonable expenses properly incurred may also be reclaimed for hearing trips to Wembley.

The appointment is for a fixed term of three years. Specialist Panel Members are eligible to apply for further terms, subject to the business needs of The FA.

Safeguarding or Legal (Junior Barrister or Solicitor) – General Safeguarding Review Panel Members

Safeguarding Review Panels and/or Safeguarding Appeal Boards are convened on a weekly basis, during standard business hours, throughout the calendar year. Hearings take place over video conference, unless an in-person request has been approved. General Safeguarding Review Panel Members are expected to make themselves available to fulfil their fair share of the cases and/or appeals arising in any given year and are required to maintain an FA Panel Member calendar regarding their availability. Additionally, Members are expected to attend meetings and/or training sessions as required.

A hearing attendance fee is payable for Safeguarding Review Panel Members for their time spent preparing and attending Safeguarding Review Panels and/or Appeal Board hearings, which includes the drafting of or assisting with drafting written reasons. Reasonable expenses properly incurred may also be reclaimed for trips to Wembley.

The appointment is for a fixed term of three years. Safeguarding Review Panel Members are eligible to apply for further terms, subject to the business needs of The FA.

HOW TO PROGRESS APPLICATION

If you feel that you have the relevant skills and experience, please apply via the link. You will be required to submit your CV and a short covering letter highlighting your suitability for the relevant Member category by reference to the key attributes outlined above.

When entering salary during the application, please list your current salary and salary expectations as £1. These will not be considered as part of your application.

As the requirements of the role may change, this advertisement should be viewed as guidance only. The Football Association Group promotes inclusion and diversity and welcomes applications from everyone.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities organisation. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.

The closing date and time for applications is 23:59 on Sunday, 17 May 2026.

You will be notified regarding the result of your application by Friday, 5 June 2026.