Academy Player Care Lead

Employer: Watford Football Club
Job Title: Academy Player Care Lead
Salary: Dependent on qualifications and experience
Location: Watford Football Club - Training Ground, London Colney
Type: Permanent Full Time
Passport/Visa: Must be eligible to work in the UK
Closing Date: Friday 2nd October 2026

Watford Football Club is recruiting an Academy Player Care Lead, to coordinate player care
across the Academy and supporting Academy players into the Men’s First Team. Working with
safeguarding, education, coaching and other specialists, you will help players and their families
access timely support from induction through development, transition and release. The role
reports to the Head of Safeguarding.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the Head of Safeguarding in promoting safeguarding and welfare practice
across the Academy and following club procedures and relevant requirements.
• Working with relevant colleagues to maintain accurate records and support compliance
with club, statutory and football governing body requirements.
• Coordinating player care with Academy and Men’s First Team staff, with particular
attention to Professional Development Phase players moving into the First Team.
• Building relationships with players and families and coordinating appropriate support
throughout the Academy pathway.
• Receiving and recording welfare and safeguarding concerns in the club’s designated
system, including CPOMS where applicable, and promptly escalating them under club
procedures. Specialist safeguarding decisions remain with the designated safeguarding
leads.
• Coordinating the Academy host family provision with safeguarding colleagues, including
placements, ongoing contact, welfare monitoring and escalation of concerns under
club procedures.
• Organising the Academy Life Skills Programme, including facilitators, session logistics
and feedback.
• Building supportive relationships with Academy players from U9 to U21 and monitoring
their welfare in collaboration with the appropriate staff.
• Coordinating inductions, mid-season transitions and release aftercare, including the
club’s three-year release strategy. Working with the relevant colleagues, prepare
appropriate player information for football clubs and build contacts that may offer
released players further opportunities.

• Working with staff on Player Voice, Parent Voice and end-of-season surveys, and using
feedback to inform action plans.
• Coordinating player welfare arrangements for loans, community visits, matchday
activities, off-site events and tours, including consent forms and risk assessments with
the relevant teams.
• Participating in the Safeguarding Management Group and coordinating player wellbeing
meetings and action plans with the appropriate staff and designated safeguarding
leads.
• Supporting the Academy’s Mental and Emotional Wellbeing pathway by coordinating
access to support and referrals to qualified practitioners where specialist assessment
or treatment is needed.
• Contributing to the Academy Performance Plan in education, life skills and welfare.
• Championing Watford Welcomes values and following the club’s equality, diversity,
inclusion and safeguarding policies.
• Carrying out other duties appropriate to the Player Care Lead role and agreed priorities
of the Safeguarding Team.

You will work well with players, families and colleagues, communicate sensitively, keep
appropriate records and manage competing priorities across the Academy and First Team.

The role is based at the training ground in London Colney and requires travel to other locations
as needed. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.

Essential Experience and Qualifications:

• Experience of working with children in a welfare or pastoral role.
• Understanding of child protection and safeguarding responsibilities, including
appropriate reporting and escalation.
• A valid FA Safeguarding Children Certificate or equivalent.
• A valid FA Welfare Officers Workshop Certificate or equivalent.
• Commitment to the club’s equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding policies.
• A full UK driving licence or the ability to travel to the locations required by the role.
• The successful candidate will be subject to the appropriate safeguarding and preemployment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and children’s barred list check
where applicable to the role.

Desirable Experience and Qualifications:

• Experience of working in football, preferably within an Academy environment.

• Mental Health First Aid qualification and Basic First Aid for Sport, or equivalent.