Academy Player Care Officer

About the Role

The Academy at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is seeking an outstanding individual to take up a brand-new role. We are seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to support the holistic development of players, families, and staff. The Academy Player Care Officer will work on the personal development of young people as both a person and a player.

The individual will be responsible for developing a comprehensive wellbeing programme covering topics such as mental health awareness, life skills, and building relationships to ensure that our players are ready for life in, and beyond, football. The role will also involve coordinating and overseeing the induction and transition of Academy players, the Academy life skills programme and support across wider department/Academy programmes.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in working with elite young athletes, with the ability to understand the emotional and wellbeing challenges this may bring. You will have experience in developing and implementing programmes, and be an excellent communicator with the ability to build trusted working relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• To develop and implement a Player Care programme for all players across the three phases of the Academy to provide the best possible care, support and development so they can maximise their potential both on and off the pitch.
• Design, develop and implement a player induction process for newly registered players into the Academy as well as supporting existing players who progress through the pathway to ensure they are comfortable within our environment.
• Design, develop and implement a strategy to support player transitions through age groups, phase groups, player release and progression from the Academy.
• To develop and implement a comprehensive Life Skills programme for all players across the three phases of the Academy linking in with specialist staff internally and externally, to ensure individual players develop skills and qualities to make a positive contribution to society.
• To develop, implement and oversee the Academy's Personal Development programme including Individual Development Action Plans.
• Engage with parents/guardians through consistent regular dialogue and support the Head of Education in developing and coordinating age-specific parent workshops across the Academy phases.
• Support the Head of Education to design, develop and implement an education programme for our Host Families.
• Attend (where appropriate) tours and trips, leading on all Player Care and Wellbeing matters pre, during and post trips.
• Seek out opportunities for the Scholars to attend sessions within the community to understand the community in which they work.
• To lead the Parent and Player voice initiatives to ensure that young people and parents have a voice in the Academy.
• Attend weekly operational meetings and phase-specific meetings as well as organise and attend any external meetings organised by the Premier League.
• Be the principal point of contact for the EFL/PL and relevant governing bodies for all matters relating to areas within Player Care.
• Supporting the Head of Education and the Academy Safeguarding Officer with safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in our care across the player pathway.
• Work with the Head of Safeguarding to ensure that the Academy is compliant with EPPP requirements for audit.
• To be a member of the Academy Leadership Team.
• Be a presence across all age groups to make sure that the young players and their parents know whom to speak to with any worries or concerns they may have.
• To maintain player information confidentiality and professional practice at all times.
• To act, at all times, in a manner appropriate to a representative of the football club.
• Hold a commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Hold a flexible approach to work.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• FA Safeguarding Children
• Mental Health First Aider
• Educated to degree level in a relevant field (e.g. wellbeing, psychology, sport science, social sciences).

Desirable Qualifications

• FA Welfare Officer
• Talented Athlete Lifestyle Support Level 3
• Counselling Skills Level 1 or above
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Previous experience in an elite performance environment and/or working with elite performers.
• Previous experience working with young people
• Knowledge in the emotional and wellbeing demands on elite performers.
• Knowledge on safeguarding and welfare
• Experience in developing and implementing programmes, initiatives and interventions.

Behavioural Competencies

• Communication: Able to communicate to the highest level, listens, interprets and conveys information in a clear and accurate manner, provide timely delivery of information and selects the most appropriate method of communication.
• Teamwork: Works within a multi-disciplinary team environment, co-operates with others, considers the needs of others and helps others to achieve objectives.
• Taking ownership: Ability to work autonomously on own initiative, proactive in managing one's own time, and building an understanding of the internal and external environment in order to deliver work in a highly effective and professional manner.
• Relationship Management: Is able to use a range of appropriate techniques to build strong relationships with players, parents and stakeholders.
• Excellent IT skills (Apple and Microsoft).
• Able to work to tight deadlines.
• A commitment to continuing professional development.

General Requirements

• Follow all Club Policies, such as Equality & Diversity, Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Anti-Corruption & Bribery and GDPR.
• Adhere to a strict Code of Confidentiality in respect of any information relating to [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and its operation
• Make suggestions to improve the working environment and contribute to positive employee relations within your area of work and [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] as a whole
• Take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and other employees and members of the public who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work
• Comply with all aspects of the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Health and Safety Policy and Arrangements, to enable the Company to perform its civil and statutory obligations in relation to Health & Safety
• Ensure effective communication within your work team and across [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] whilst actively offering support and guidance, as necessary

How to Apply

The closing date for this vacancy will be 08th June 2022. If you believe you have the right mix of skills for this position, please complete the Application Form available here.

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] strives to ensure it provides an environment where everyone's rights, dignity and individual worth is respected and takes a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination. Equal Opportunity is an integral part of our recruitment and selection process, and we welcome applications from all individuals who feel they meet the core requirements of the role. We are particularly encouraging applications from women, disabled people and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) individuals who are currently under-represented within the organisation.

The Company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people involved in activities and event at the Company.

As part of the Company’s recruitment and selection process any offers of work involving working in regulated activity with children are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS Disclosure and barred list check (depending on the level of supervision, frequency, and nature of contact with children). Appropriate references are also required.

Should an adequate number of applications be received prior to the closing date, [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] reserve the right to remove this advert. Due to a high demand in applications the Club will be unable to respond to those applicants who have not been shortlisted for interview.