Academy Player Care and Wellbeing Officer

at  Nottingham Forest Football Club

Salary: Please state your expectations within your application
Contract: Full Time, 42 hours a week
Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR
Department: Academy
Reporting to: Academy Player Care & Wellbeing Lead
Closing Date For Applications: 14th February 2025

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The role will have responsibility for supporting player care and wellbeing matters for our players within the Academy at Nottingham Forest FC with a specific focus on the Foundation and Youth Development Phases and predominately U9s-U14s. Working as part of the player care and safeguarding team the role will ensure there is comprehensive delivery of pastoral care on and off the pitch and assist in the delivery of a high-quality player care and life skills provision across the Academy programme.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the development, implementation and delivery of the player care and wellbeing programme in line with the strategic plan across all phases of the Academy.
• Contribute to and support the delivery of a high-quality Academy life skills programme including the education of players, parents, academy staff and host families.
• Contribute to and support the delivery of the Academy’s mental and emotional wellbeing strategy and development plan.
• Regularly attend and contribute to Academy SWEP Group meetings as deemed appropriate.
• Build strong working relationships to provide one-to-one support for Academy players as required and ensure that they are aware of internal and external support available to them.
• Work closely with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure the holistic development, wellbeing and personal development are at the centre of player support.
• Support the Academy Player Care and Wellbeing Lead in the appropriate recruitment, assessment, on-boarding and continual development of all host family arrangements to ensure compliance with the highest levels of safeguarding standards.
• Assist the Academy Player Care & Wellbeing Lead in the player care, welfare and wellbeing aspects of Academy audits that are carried out, e.g. PGAAC, Barnardo’s, Premier League and EFL.
• Support the induction process of newly registered players into the Academy as well as existing players who progress through into different stages of the pathway.
• Work with the Recruitment Team and Lead Phase Coaches to create and maintain an induction and monitoring process to include support for players on trial with the Academy.
• Support the process for player transition through age groups, player release and progression from the Academy.
• Engage with Academy players and parents through consistent regular dialogue and visits to support each players development off the football pitch.
• Lead parent and player voice initiatives and support key parent education programmes.
• Attend where appropriate trips and tours, leading on all player care, welfare and wellbeing matters pre, during and post trips.
• Work with the Player Care & Wellbeing Lead and Head of Education & Audit Co-ordinator to develop the Alumni programme, ensuring regular contact with previous Academy players.
• Liaise with the Academy Safeguarding Officer and Head of Safeguarding for all necessary safeguarding concerns.
• Liaise with schools and parents in relation to all aspects of player care, welfare and wellbeing.
• Support the Academy Safeguarding Officer and Head of Safeguarding with safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in our care across the player pathway.
• Lead on safeguarding and welfare support on matchdays when required. This will involve occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Implement the Academy’s reporting and recording procedures and act as a point of contact for safeguarding and wellbeing concerns at the Academy.
• Help support and implement the club and academy’s equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Maintain player information, confidentiality and professional distance from all playing staff acting within professional codes of conduct and scope of practice at all times.
• Act, at all times, in a manner appropriate to a representative of Nottingham Forest FC.