Lead Academy Psychologist – LFC Men’s Academy (YDP and PDP Phase)

Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds Limited; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional sports club is seeking a Lead Academy Psychologist to provide vital psychological support to academy players. The role involves working closely with players transitioning to the first team and focusing on injury monitoring and psychological return to play. Candidates should have significant experience in sports psychology and effective communication skills, plus relevant qualifications. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and benefits including 25 days of holiday.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

High street discounts

Volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a sport and exercise environment.
• Experience working within an elite youth sports environment.
• Track record of providing effective psychological support.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological support through match and training observations.
• Lead the delivery of the psychology support program.
• Work with coaches to promote psychological skills development.

Skills

HCPC Registered Psychologist

Experience in sport psychology

Strong interpersonal skills

Ability to communicate effectively

Education

Safeguarding & Protecting Children qualification

UKAD ‘Introduction to Clean Sport’ qualification

Job description

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an individual to join our Liverpool FC team as a Lead Academy Psychologist. In this role you will be providing psychological support through match and training observations, one-on-one player support plans, squad sessions, staff support and parent/carer education. This position plays a key role in player injury monitoring and psychological return to play for all players, including loan players.

You will work co-operatively with the First Team Psychology provision to ensure a support pathway is present for players transitioning into the first team environment and release to other clubs or career pathways.

Responsibilities

• Lead Sports Psychologist with a specialist interest in the development and support of Academy players throughout the FP, YDP and PDP phases.
• Reporting to the Head of Medical Academy and Performance, lead and deliver a comprehensive sport psychology service aligned to the Academy psychology strategy and values.
• Lead the delivery of the psychology support programme at the Youth Development and Professional Development Phase.
• Lead the development and monitoring of multi-disciplinary agreed development plans (ADPs) for academy players U13-16s, U18s and U21s.
• Work alongside First team psychology when supporting players from the Academy to the First team.
• Work with coaches and MDT staff to enhance teaching, learning and feedback methods to promote the development of psychological skills through integration via the technical and tactical coaching program.
• Be a core member of academy player care working group – supporting complex cases related to performance and/or wellbeing.
• Offer input, guidance and advice to other performance practitioners.
• Undertake other duties as directed by the Head of Medical and Performance, Academy Director or the Technical Board.

Who are we looking for?

The Liverpool FC Mens Academy are looking for an experienced and passionate HCPC Registered Psychologist with previous experience in a sport and exercise environment to join their Medical and Performance team. We are looking for someone with an established track record of experience working within an elite youth sports environment and/or academy football environment. You will have experience in providing effective provision of psychological support in relation to performance as well as personal development and life skills to young athletes across the Youth Development and Professional Development phases.

We are looking for an experienced practitioner who has substantial experience in the translation of evidence-based research into day-to-day practice for an elite development programme for players, staff and parents/carers. You will have the ability to communicate concisely, assertively, and effectively at all levels, including strong interpersonal skills. You hold a Safeguarding & Protecting Children/FA Safeguarding Children qualification and a desirable UKAD ‘Introduction to Clean Sport’ qualification. You’ll also have a full and valid driving license. The successful candidate must be able to work flexibly for evening work.

Why should you apply?

This is a full-time permanent position working 40 hours per week. Your main base will be our LFC Academy and AXA Training Centre.

To reward your hard work and commitment we offer a competitive salary, 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays and the option to purchase up to an additional 5 days) and a contributory pension scheme.

You will have access to our benefits kit bag where you can get high street discounts, and a selection of benefit schemes you can join. There are opportunities to get involved with volunteering through our LFC Foundation to give back to the local community.

Equality, safeguarding and inclusion

At Liverpool Football Club, we have an unwavering commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and are always looking to make a positive difference in the communities that we operate within. We are proud of our achievements in this area; maintaining the Premier League Equality Standard Advanced Level, becoming a founding signatory of the Football Association’s Football Leadership Diversity Code and being recognised as a leader in this important area on and off the pitch. We take our responsibilities in this area seriously and through the work being done across the club, we are committed to increasing the diversity of our people and becoming an increasingly inclusive workplace for all. If you share our enthusiasm and passion for inclusivity, then we want to hear from you.

Liverpool FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all Colleagues and Volunteers to share this commitment. This role is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

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