Academy Player Care Officer

JOB PURPOSE

The purpose of the role is to have responsibility of player care and welfare matters for our players in the Academy at Luton Town FC. Ensuring there is a comprehensive provision of pastoral care developing and managing a high-quality player care and life skills provision across the Academy programme.

Reporting into the Head of Safeguarding, the successful candidate will:

• All academy player trialist inductions
• Creating and implementing bespoke transition and exit strategies for released players
• Implementing and delivering a mentoring scheme (including the monitoring of any external mentoring that is used)
• Facilitate a listening culture
• Feedback from players/parents through internal ‘voice’ initiatives to support the listening culture.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To review, develop and deliver the Player Care/Life Skills programme for all players across the three phases of the Academy including how to keep themselves safe and have healthy relationships.
• Oversee the player care budget for maximum value.
• Collaborate with the Head of Education to provide work experience opportunities for scholars.
• Listen to the players, analyse what they need and formulate the most relevant sessions to best support their needs.
• Design, develop and implement a player induction of newly registered (signed) players into the Academy.
• Delivery of the mental health and wellbeing strategy (in collaboration with the Safeguarding Manager).
• To identify areas for improvement and construct strategic plans to embed improved practice.
• To prepare for the season by using the ‘off season’ to prepare planning documentation for effective, robust delivery of key mechanisms.
• To support the Club’s community engagement (collaborate with local organisations and charities for players).
• Engage with Academy players and parents through regular dialogue and visits to support each player’s personal development off the football pitch.
• Build and maintain an effective relationship with host families and facilitate communication with player parents as well as designing, developing and supporting an education programme for our House Families.
• Working with the Head of Academy Recruitment and Lead Phase Coaches create and maintain an induction and monitoring process to include support for players on trial with the Academy.
• Design, develop and implement a process for player release and progression from the Academy (the player and welfare exit strategy)
• To support liaison with schools and parents in relation to all aspects of welfare.
• To lead on parent and player voice initiatives.

• Supporting the Safeguarding Manager to deliver effective safeguarding. • Implementing the Academy’s reporting and recording procedures and a point of contact for the Academy.

• Support the Academy’s compliance with audit requirements (as per the standards). • To support the Academy’s behaviour management processes.

• To maintain player information confidentiality and professional distance from all playing staff acting within professional codes of conduct and scope of practice at all times.
• Representation of the club at conventions and seminars.
• To undertake any additional tasks as required by the Head of Safeguarding or the Academy Manager in relation to the ongoing welfare or safety of players.

• To undertake personal CPD as appropriate to meet the demands of the role. • To be an EDI representative and fully engage with EDI programmes and meetings.

• Attend pre-season induction meetings for players and parents and guardians to explain the role of player care within the academy.

Abilities/Skills/Knowledge:

• Committed, enthusiastic and passionate about Luton Town Football Club.
• Must be pro-active, motivated, organised, responsible and able to work independently as well as in a team
• Highly developed problem-solving skills, resilience, and the ability to perform well under pressure
• Demonstrate good listening skills and have the ability to resolve issues where appropriate
• Ability to multi-task whilst maintaining priority efficiencies
• Focused on achieving Club, departmental and individual success
• Willing to follow and promote the philosophy of the football club.
• Be an ambassador for the Club presenting the Club in a positive image at all times.

Additional Information:

• This a full-time role.
• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

MAIN JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education/Qualifications/Training:

Essentials

• Valid FA Safeguarding Children Certificate
• Hold an enhanced DBS check
• Delivery (presenting) to groups skills Desirables
• A qualification in mentoring or coaching young people
• Trained on the Player Care Role (or be willing to do so)
• First Aid trained
• Qualifications or experience of pastoral roles of safeguarding
• Report writing and IT skills
• Experience of managing a budget.

Specific Experience:

• Substantial experience in a similar or related role (pastoral care), demonstrating development and continuous improvement
• Excellent IT skills and experience in use of all Microsoft Office products
• Committed and driven by deadlines and results
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as using one’s own initiative
• Able to communicate effectively with players, parents and fellow staff members at all levels
• The leadership or delivery of trips and tours
• Experience of an elite sporting environment.

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

The Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Club has systems in place to ensure that the welfare of vulnerable groups is dealt with appropriately and sensitively. Everyone working at the Club has a duty of care to safeguard the welfare of children and young people by creating an environment that protects them from harm. Our standards of practice ensure all staff are fully aware and understand their responsibilities under safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. The Club ensures that all staff that have a direct responsibility for children, young people or vulnerable adults, have been subject to the most stringent of recruitment practices which include DBS Checks and reference checks. These staff are alert to signs of abuse or maltreatment and will refer concerns to the relevant Designated Safeguarding Officers using the agreed safeguarding procedures.

EQUALITY STATEMENT

The individual must at all times, carry out their duties with due regard to the Clubs policies and procedures and in particular the Club’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. The individual must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation, or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders. The individual must contribute to encouraging equality and respecting diversity by embedding such values in the workplace and challenging inappropriate behaviour and processes.