Job Description

Post Title
Academy Player Care Officer.

Department/Location
Huddersfield Town AFC Academy, the Millers Oils High Performance Complex.

Reports To
Academy Manager.
Head of Academy Education and Player Care.

Purpose of the Role

• To lead, develop, and deliver a comprehensive player care package in support of our Foundation Phase and Youth Development Phase, also supporting the Professional Development Phase programme, working closely with the Head of Academy Education and Player Care and the Head of Safeguarding.

• To work with and support Academy colleagues to help players achieve positive outcomes, both personally and within their Academy journey.

• To contribute to the long-term strategic direction of the Academy’s Player Care Provision, in partnership with the wider Club, and working alongside other colleagues as required.

• To act as the Designated Safeguarding Officer for the Foundation Phase and Youth Development Phase.

Functional Links

Internal: Academy Manager.
Head of Academy Education and Player Care.
Head of Safeguarding.
Academy Staff.
Football Administration Manager.
Players.
Chief Operating Officer.
Staff and Managers throughout the organisation.

External: Other Clubs’ Academy staff.
Premier League and English Football League.
Football Association (FA).
League Managers Association (LMA).
Professional Football Association (PFA).
Parents/Carers.
Local Authority.
Local Authority Designated Officer for Safeguarding (LADO).

Key Performance Indicators

• Effective delivery of a comprehensive player care programme across our Foundation and Youth Development Phases, while supporting delivery within the Professional Development Phase as required.
• Able to work effectively as part of the multi-disciplinary team, to help players achieve positive outcomes, both personally and within their Academy journey.

• Able to demonstrate a significant contribution to the long-term strategic direction of the Academy’s Player Care Provision, in partnership with the wider Club.

• Safeguarding incidents and concerns are recorded and managed in a timely, sensitive, and professional manner.

Role Specific Responsibilities

The post holder will be required to:

• Build and maintain an effective relationship with host families and facilitate communication with players’ parents/carers as well as designing, developing, and implementing an education programme for our host families.

• Work with the Academy Manager and Head of Academy Education and Player Care to recruit accommodation providers, where necessary.

• Develop and deliver a comprehensive life skills programme for players in the Foundation Phase and Youth Development Phase, e.g., nutrition, finance management etc.

• Assist in planning and preparing Academy Trips, Tours, and Tournaments and attend in a safeguarding role when required.

• Implement the Academy’s Player Transition Strategy to best support players and their families through periods of transition throughout their Academy journey.

• Assist with the monthly Wellbeing Forum for Academy players.

• Work collaboratively within the Academy Welfare team, promoting the Academy’s safeguarding standards for children and young people and ensuring that Club policies and procedures are always adhered to.

• Undertake safeguarding training, including Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) training, and maintain up to date knowledge, considering local authority and national guidance including ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, Keeping Children Safe in Education’.

• Be responsible for recording and/or reporting any incidents relating to the safeguarding and/or welfare of a child/young person.

• Uphold and promote the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and Equality policies and procedures.

• Liaise with governing bodies and organisations such the FA, Premier League, and PFA to provide relevant support to players and parents/carers.

• Develop strong relationships with key Academy stakeholders.

• Support the Player Care and Education department in school visits across the Foundation Phase and Youth Development Phase.
• Work closely with the Head of Academy Education and Player Care to support Professional Development Phase players’ academic and vocational development.

• Attend and contribute effectively to multidisciplinary department meetings and welfare team meetings.

• Support staff in various Academy stakeholder meetings, including parent/carer complaint procedures, school meetings, and other pastoral meetings.

• Be a visible presence for both players and parents during Academy activity; this will require travelling with teams for away fixtures and tours.

• Execute additional tasks as required to meet the changing priorities of the Academy and the Club.