Job Description
An exciting opportunity has become available within the Academy at Watford Football Club. We are
looking to recruit a Player Care and Safeguarding Officer to be a part of a forward-thinking team. You
will be responsible for providing a high-quality player care provision throughout the Academy, through
successful collaboration with key Academy/Club specialists and stakeholders.
You will play a key role in:
• Supporting the Safeguarding and Welfare Manager in promoting best practices and
maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding and welfare across the Academy.
• Ensuring full compliance with statutory regulations and football governing bodies.
• Delivering a high-quality player care provision through close collaboration with Academy staff.
• Developing and coordinating effective communication and engagement with players and
parents to provide tailored support.
• Serving as a central point of contact for reporting and recording welfare and safeguarding
concerns, ensuring all incidents are logged appropriately (e.g., CPOMS).
• Leading on organising and delivering the Academy's Life Skills Programme, including booking
facilitators and managing session logistics.
• Building strong, supportive relationships with Academy players from U9–U21 and monitor
their welfare throughout their development.
• Supporting player inductions, mid-season transitions, and aftercare for released players,
including involvement in Watford FC’s three-year release strategy.
• Liaising with key staff to address player needs and lead on feedback initiatives such as Player
Voice, Parent Voice, and end-of-season surveys—collating data to inform action plans.
• Assisting in coordinating community visits, matchday activities, and off-site events and trips,
tours and ensuring welfare needs are met at all times.
• Participating in safeguarding strategy via the Safeguarding Management Group and lead
monthly wellbeing meetings where required.
• Supporting the delivery and continuous improvement of the Academy’s Mental and Emotional
Wellbeing pathway.
• Contributing to updating the Academy Performance Plan (EPPP), particularly in areas relating
to education, life skills, and welfare.
• Championing Watford Welcomes values and ensuring full compliance with the club’s EDI and
safeguarding policies.
•
• Carrying out additional tasks in line with the needs of the Safeguarding Team
The successful candidate will enjoy working as part of a team, be enthusiastic, hardworking, and be
flexible to the requirements of the position and the business.
Applicants should ideally live locally to Watford/London Colney or the surrounding areas and be a UK
resident or non-UK resident with a valid UK work permit and ideally have experience working within a
similar role.
You must have:
• Experience of working with children in a welfare and pastoral related role
• An understanding of Child Protection requirements
• Experience of working within a football environment preferably within an Academy
environment
• Valid FA Safeguarding Children Certificate and/or equivalent
• Valid FA Welfare Officers Workshop Certificate and/or equivalent
• Understanding of the Clubs commitment to EDI & Safeguarding
• Full UK driving licence or ability to travel to various locations due to the demands of the role
• This role will have regular contact with children, and it is therefore required by law to have a
DBS Enhanced Criminal Record Check with children’s barred list check
You would ideally have, but not vital:
• Mental Health First Aid qualified
• Basic First Aid for Sport and/or equivalent
