Academy Safeguarding and Player Support Officer

The Academy Safeguarding & Player Support Officer will support safeguarding practice across the Academy, providing a visible, trusted and accessible safeguarding presence for players, parents and staff. Alongside this Academy-wide safeguarding remit, the postholder's primary Player Support responsibility will be for Boys Academy players in the U9-U14 age groups, ensuring that younger players and their families receive consistent, age-appropriate welfare, transition and pastoral support.

The postholder will combine Academy-wide safeguarding responsibilities with a focused U9-U14 Player Support remit. This includes responding to and recording concerns, proactive welfare work, player and parent/carer engagement, transition support, EDI education and effective collaboration with the Junior Academy multidisciplinary team. Working under the direction of the Head of Safeguarding, the postholder will help translate Club policy, EFL requirements, The FA framework and applicable PGAAC-assessed Youth Development Rules into consistent day-to-day practice.

We are looking for an approachable, professional and child-centred individual with a strong commitment to safeguarding, player welfare and EDI. The successful candidate will support safeguarding across the Academy while primarily leading player support for U9-U14 players, building positive relationships with players and families and ensuring young people have a meaningful voice in their Academy experience.

This role involves regular work with children and is subject to the Club’s safer recruitment process. Appointment will be conditional upon satisfactory completion of all checks that are lawful, relevant and proportionate to the role, which are expected to include:

· Assessment against the role of safeguarding responsibilities through shortlisting and a values- and safeguarding-focused interview.

· Proof of identity, right to work in the United Kingdom and verification of relevant qualifications or professional registrations.

· Satisfactory professional references, including the most recent relevant employer, where appropriate.

· An Enhanced DBS check with the relevant barred-list check where the duties meet the legal eligibility criteria, together with any additional football-authority vetting required for the post.

· Consideration of overseas criminal-record information where the successful candidate has lived or worked abroad and checks are appropriate and available.

· Satisfactory completion of safeguarding induction, the Club code of conduct, role-specific training and any probationary review requirements.

· An ongoing duty to disclose matters that may affect suitability to work with children, in accordance with Club policy and the law.