Academy Player Support Lead (PDP)

Brentford Football Club; Hounslow; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Brentford FC's Academy seeks an Academy Player Support PDP Lead to provide best-in-class welfare and social development for players in the Professional Development Phase. You will be a key point of contact for players and families and collaborate with staff across the Academy.

You will deliver the Life Skills Curriculum, support development plans, coordinate transition strategies, and help ensure safeguarding standards are upheld across evenings, weekends, and travel.

Qualifications

• Substantial safeguarding knowledge and practice with adolescents.
• Experience maintaining welfare records and coordinating interventions.

Responsibilities

• Provide welfare support to PDP players and families.
• Lead delivery of the Life Skills Curriculum within the PDP.
• Coordinate the Academy Transition Strategy and post-programme support.
• Act as primary contact for parents and PDP players’ queries and logistics.

Skills

Strong communicator

Collaborator

Emotional intelligence

Advocacy for players

Education

Relevant qualification in youth work or related field

Job description

Job Title: Academy Player Support PDP LeadReports to: Academy Head of SafeguardingLocation : Training Ground – Jersey RoadDepartment : Academy Player SupportThe ClubBrentford FC is a bit different from other Premier League football clubs. We put our fans first, we are a true community club and while we are financially sustainable, we are not afraid to take calculated risks. We take huge pride in our environment and culture within the Club which focuses on development, inclusion and not being afraid to think differently.Being progressive, humble and respectful while sticking together as one team across the Club guides how we work and the decisions we make each day.We also firmly believe that a diverse workforce is a better workforce which will help us develop ideas, solve problems and ultimately grow Brentford FC.We play in a new stadium, 15 minutes from Heathrow in vibrant west London.We will never forget where we have come from, but we are excited about the future that lies ahead.Job OverviewTo provide best-in-class welfare support and social development initiatives to Academy players within the Professional Development Phase. To be a key point of contact for all players and their families regarding their welfare, the way they are being treated, or if they have concerns about other people’s welfare. You will be a fantastic collaborator to facilitate working with all Academy and Club staff to ensure that Brentford FC is carrying out its duty of care in the running of its Academy.Key ResponsibilitiesWork in line with the Academy Football schedule for this role, which includes evenings and weekends in line with the U18 and B Team schedule and will include travel with different teams across the Professional Development Phase.Act as the main day-to-day contact for parents of PDP Phase players and their inquiries, supporting communication and information sharing as needed across departments and stakeholders.Act as one of the first points of contact for Academy PDP players for non-medical emergencies, queries and logistical support if required .Support the safe delivery of events and Activities within the Professional Development Phase including monitoring and supporting any children involved in adult squads or matchdays.Support Player Development by being a core contributor to the Professional Development Phase Individual Development Plan process, leading on the delivery of elements to support Player’s Social Development and Social Excellence.Delivery of the Academy Life Skills Curriculum within the Professional Development Phase, mentoring and supporting colleagues working within other phases too, coordinating and working collaboratively with the expertise within the Academy to ensure this is effective .Assist identifying and coordinating Players within the Professional Development Phase for community, media and commercial appearances in conjunction with the relevant departments.Be responsible for the management and delivery of the Academy Transition Strategy across players’ journeys within the Professional Development Phase, including working with those from the U16 offered scholarships to ensure appropriate preparation for transition.Work collaboratively with the Recruitment Department and other departments as necessary to ensure positive trialists experiences within the Professional Development Phase.Be a direct support to and coordinate departments to ensure appropriate i nduction of players at their point of joining the Professional Development Phase .Lead on the support at the ending of p layer s’ journeys with the Academy within the Professional Development Phase, ensuring coordination of the process and appropriate support to players as required .Ensure the delivery of the Academy Aftercare Support process and development of a network of support mechanisms within and outside the Football Industry to which players can be directed.Maintain a player and parent complaints procedure and in the event of a complaint being made, ensure that the complaints procedures are met and see the procedures through to the final decision.Encourage a culture with players , and those staff supporting them in the Professional Development Phase , of high expectations and standards , complimented by a high level of support to help players achieve that, to encourage the best development environment for players.Proven ability to develop trusting, professional relationships with adolescents, including a deep understanding of child and adolescent development, trauma-informed practice, and positive behaviour support strategies.Work collaboratively with and support, the Human Development Department , the Medical and Performance Department and the Academy Safeguarding Team, to deliver the Academy’s Mental and Emotional Wellbeing Strategy, including the coordination of logistics and personal development activities for injured players as part of their Rehabilitation Plans.Work with Players in the Professional Development Phase to ensure that they understand and can meaningfully contribute their views to their Individual Development PlansWork with the First Team Player Support Department and the Academy Operations Department to develop a network of contacts who can be upon as needed 24/7: estate agents, car suppliers, food providers, entertainment, travel companies.To promote and support a culture where Player voice and Parent voice is collected through different mechanisms, including the Player’s Forum and Parent’s Forums, supporting the needs of different Departments and ensuring feedback and views are appropriately considered and acted upon where suitable to do so.Mentor and support staff within the team working with other phases, promoting their development and good practice with the younger age groups.Experience working directly with families, understanding the importance of family voice and partnership in promoting player welfare and social development.KnowledgeSubstantial experience working in a safeguarding, pastoral or player care role within a professional football academy or similar high-performance youth environment (e.g. elite sport, education, social care, or youth justice).Demonstrable knowledge of statutory safeguarding frameworks, including Working Together to Safeguard Children, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and the FA’s Safeguarding Children policies and procedures.A relevant qualification in youth work, social work, psychology, sport development, education, or a related field , or equivalent experience .Specialist SkillsA good understanding of different faiths and religions and local communities to provide credible support to players wishing to practice their faithA t rack record of identifying, responding to, and escalating safeguarding concerns appropriately, with sound judgement and confidentiality.Excellent organisational and administrative skills, including maintaining player welfare records and tracking interventions.Commitm ent to equity, diversity and inclusion, with a clear understanding of how to provide culturally competent support to young people from a wide range of backgrounds.High level of adaptability, an ability to prioritise work and a willingness to take on tasks as required by the Club to support successful deliveryAn ability to assess and consider a player’s needs holistically, beyond their football development on the pitch and into other aspects of their life.People SkillsHighly effective collaborator, used to working with and supporting different stakeholders with different expertise and priorities .Strong communicator, both written and verbal, with the ability manage sensitive conversations with a variety of stakeholders, including children, young people and their families .An ability to design and deliver presentations to various stakeholders, including children and young people.Strong understanding of appropriate professional boundaries in your relationships with children, young athletes and their families .Curiosity and a high level of emotional intelligence in your engagement with children, young people and other stakeholders .An ability and confidence to advocate for players , their needs and best interests, whilst ensuring and balancing alignment to Club and Academy priorities and frameworksExternal ImpactR epresent the Academy at Premier League/EFL Player Care Hubs as requested by your line manager .P ositively represent the Club in all interactions with Players, Parents and all other stakeholders, internal and external, that you engage with .Decision MakingExercise independent thinking and decision making within the defined Academy frameworks for Player Support, knowing when to seek guidance, direction and approval as required from line managers and other senior staff .InnovationContribute to the design and delivery of the Academy Player Alumni programme and the integration with the Club’s Former Player Association .Review and reflect upon your own practice and Academy processes, seeking to ensure areas of personal and process improvement .General Club AccountabilitiesTo comply with all Club policies, including health and safety, data regulations and other legal, ethical and social requirementsTo build and maintain good working relationships while maintaining a professional imageTo keep confidential any information gained regarding the Club and its personnelTo always maintain a flexible approach to workInclusion StatementBrentford FC is proud to be an organisation that values equity, diversity and inclusion. We strive to create a culture that celebrates difference and ensures fairness, safety, representation, and belonging.We recognise that some groups remain underrepresented in our workforce and are actively working to change this. As part of that commitment, we strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds — particularly those from ethnically diverse communities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and disabled people.We’re committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process, with all decisions made based on merit and suitability — regardless of background or protected characteristic . Should you be selected for interview, we welcome the opportunity to discuss any specific arrangements, accommodations or reasonable adjustments you may require to be made.Safeguarding StatementBrentford FC is fully committed to promoting equality, and to safeguarding the welfare of all children and adults at risk. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is a core part of the Club’s culture. All staff and volunteers share a collective duty to create and maintain a safe and supportive environment, both on and off the field.To ensure this, all staff are required to complete regular safeguarding training appropriate to their role. This training supports a proactive and informed approach to safeguarding practice.The successful candidate will be expected to understand, adhere to, and actively uphold all relevant safeguarding policies and procedures. This includes recognising signs of abuse or harm, responding appropriately, and reporting any concerns in a timely manner to the Club’s Safeguarding Team.Brentford FC operates safer recruitment practices. We remind individuals that it is a criminal offence for a person barred from engaging in regulated activity to apply for a role that involves such activity.Work Location: In person