CAREERS FOCUS
Safeguarding Manager at the English Football League
Alex Richards née Morris (Class of 1997)
I
joined Our Lady’s Convent School in 1983 at four years old. I left after completing my A levels in 1997. The school was my constant and leaving was a hard transition as I had never known anything different.
managing a large student welfare department.
As part of my Head Girl’s speech at Prize Giving, I focused on the fact that OLCS was about creating rounded individuals with good morals who had achieved academically to the best of their ability. I was not a high achiever - I did well in my GCSEs and found A levels hard. What I did not realise at the time was that the moral and spiritual education that I had received would influence my career path.
In 2018 my husband asked me when I had last interviewed for a job. I realised that it had been over a decade and that I needed to ensure that I could perform in a competitive environment. I started to look in The Guardian for national positions that would suit my experience, where I saw a role advertised for Head of Safeguarding for The English Football League. It appealed to me as I wanted to use my skills from education in a new industry. After two nerve wracking interviews, I was offered the job and we relocated to the Northwest of England three years ago.
Transition from my safe place, my school to university, was confusing and scary. I did not know what I wanted to do at all after school, just that I did want to do a degree. I was given some advice and told to do something that I enjoyed. I had always loved history and so I opted for that. I liked it so much that I went on to complete my Masters as well. I spent four amazing years at university and met my husband aged 21.
I love working with such a wide range of organisations. We have 72 football clubs across England and Wales, making up the Championship, League One and League Two of Professional football. I work closely with other key stakeholders in the industry, the FA and the Premier League and travel around the country ensuring that Clubs meet the safeguarding standards we set.
We wanted to settle down and get on the property ladder, so it was time for me to look for employment. I saw a short-term contract advertised at the University of Sunderland working within student welfare administration. I took the role and ended up working within the department for five years. Next, I applied for a role at a local Further Education College, again in student welfare, this time gaining experience of working with under 18s. I was always willing to take on new challenges, expand my learning and push myself out of my comfort zone. During my 12 years at the College, I became Designated Safeguarding Lead and worked my way up to the role of Assistant Principal
Working in safeguarding is a privilege but does have an impact on you as an individual. You need to have a strong conviction and passion to do this type of role. My motivation is to ensure that children, young people and adults at risk are not only safe from harm but that they can thrive in whatever activity or environment they are in, reaching their potential and becoming well rounded individuals with good social skills and morals. I feel as though I have come full circle - how I described the School’s ethos at the Prize Giving as Head Girl is now my vocation and I look back at my school years with nothing but gratitude and happy memories.
Winter 2021
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