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.

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.

• 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

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.