Academy Player Care & Safeguarding Officer

Full job description

Job Details

Job Title:

• Academy Player Care & Safeguarding Officer

Location:

• Stockport County Training Centre, Stockport Sports Village, and Cheadle Hulme School

Reporting to:

• Head of Academy Education & Player Care

Salary:

• £10,000 – £12,000 per annum pro-rata depending on experience

Hours:

• Role is 43 weeks per year (Fixed schedule)
• 20 Per week (Evening and Weekend Work Required)

About Stockport County

Stockport County is a club on the rise. For the past 11 years, we've finished higher every season, climbing from the National League North to finishing 3rd in League One, which has built on our rich and storied history that dates to 1883.

With bold ownership, a strong leadership team, and a forward-thinking board, we're embarking on our next chapter of growth. This includes significant investments in renovating our stadium and training facilities, and the recent reinstatement of our academy, laying strong foundations for the future.

Beyond the pitch, Stockport is transforming into a vibrant cultural hub in the Northwest. Our town boasts a thriving and rapidly growing arts, entertainment, and culinary scene, making it an incredibly dynamic place to live and work. We're passionate about our town and the local community, specially creating opportunities for young Stopfordians to find opportunities and thrive.

With our rapid progression and shared trajectory, we believe we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Stockport County and the wider community to rise together and establish ourselves on both the national sporting and cultural stage.

Role Overview

To deliver player care and pastoral support for Academy players aged U9 to U15, supporting personal development, early intervention and strong relationships with players and parents.

This dual role will support safeguarding practice across the Academy, ensuring a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all players, staff and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Planning, organising, and delivering a high-quality personal development programme to our FP and YDP players.
• Act as a safeguarding point of contact within the Academy, supporting the Head of Safeguarding and working within the club’s safeguarding structure.
• Provide a visible player care presence at training and games supporting players, parents and staff.
• Record and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with club policies and statutory guidance, ensuring timely and appropriate escalation where required.
• To support the mental and emotional wellbeing of academy players
• Provide logistical support for players where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and up-to-date safeguarding records in line with data protection and safeguarding standards.
• Inducting and exiting players in a caring and organised manner
• Supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives across the Academy.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to MDT/reviews.
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture across the Academy, ensuring safeguarding is embedded into day-to-day practice.

Essential

• Player Care experience
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and welfare
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to use a variety of communication tools (verbal, written, digital)
• Strong organisational and administrative skills
• IT skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Office and platforms such as Google Drive.

Desirable

• Higher Education qualification in a suitable area of study
• Mental health first aider

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Discount on SCFC retail products
• Discount of SCFC season or match by match tickets
• Access to online discount system perk box
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• Be part of a dynamic and exciting team
• The chance to contribute to the success of a historic football club