Job Title: Head of Academy Education & Player Care
Reporting to: Academy Manager
Purpose: To support the strategic implementation of the Academy Performance Plan and provision of Education & Player Care Services through planning, delivering, and monitoring the Academy’s Education provision, ensuring Sporting Excellence Professional (SEP) Apprentices progress appropriately, Academy schoolboys are supported in their educational journey, and academy-developed professional players are supported beyond football.
(20 hours per week to be spent on Education & 17.5 hours per week spent on Player Care)
The accountabilities of the Head of Academy Education & Player Care shall include:
* Be an active member of the Academy Management Team.
* Be an active member of the Academy’s Player Care Working Group and Player/Parent Experience Working Group.
* Be responsible for the organisation, management and delivery of the Club's Education provision for Apprentices and Schoolboys.
* Deliver the SEP Apprenticeship programme, ensuring player progress and compliance with LFE and EFL requirements.
* Maintain accurate records to meet EFL Youth Development Rules and PGAAC standards.
* Alongside the Academy Manager, complete the required sections of the Academy Performance Plan and Club Academy Standards Application (CASA).
* Build and maintain relationships with schools, parents, and education providers.
* Liaise with the LFE Regional Officer to support education delivery and monitor standards.
* Promote high standards of behaviour and conduct during educational sessions.
* Promote a culture where Player Care and Player/Parent Experience is of paramount importance.
* Ensure educational progression is not compromised by each player's involvement within the Academy.
Key Activities:
* Attend Academy Inter-Disciplinary Meetings, Academy Management Team Meetings, Player Care Working Group Meetings, Player/Parent Experience Working Group Meetings, and LFE Programme Review Meetings.
* Lead the development and delivery of the Academy’s Beyond Football Programme, including the development of the mental and emotional wellbeing of Academy players and young professionals.
* Lead the development and delivery of the Academy’s Home Learning Programme alongside other relevant stakeholders.
* Agree, develop and maintain an effective education timetable that meets the needs of Apprentices.
* Alongside the Academy’s LFE Regional Officer, conduct regular Education reviews with Apprentices and liaise with stakeholders on progress.
* Alongside the Head of Recruitment & Player Care, conduct regular Player Care reviews with U16-U20 players to support their development beyond football and develop subsequent action plans.
* Maintain EMS registers and monitor player attendance at all education and Beyond Football sessions across the Academy.
* Implement and develop the Club’s robust induction and transition processes, including provision for when players join or leave the Academy, transition through age groups, enter the First Team, or enter into loan arrangements.
* Alongside the Head of Recruitment & Player Care, support the safe and proper exit of players from the Academy, following the Academy Next Steps Process and After Care Support Package.
* Develop, deliver and manage an Academy Alumni Programme.
About The Candidate
Required Qualifications:
* PGCE
* Relevant Degree (Education, Player Care, Sports Science)
* FA Safeguarding Qualification
* FA First Aid Qualification
* Enhanced DBS Clearance
* Player Care Certification
Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
* Strong Leadership and Management skills.
* A working knowledge and understanding of Player Care in an Academy Football setting.
* Experience in Education and the teaching of young people.
* Competence in all MS Office packages with experience of recording and reporting information.
* Experience of dealing with minors and an excellent understanding of Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures including the relevant clearances for individuals.
* An understanding of the EFL Youth Development rules and regulations.
About The Club
General Information:
The employee must at all times carry out their duties with due regard to the Accrington Stanley Football Club policies and procedures.
The employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.
Safeguarding:
Accrington Stanley Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role involves the supervision of and working with children and young people. The role will require CRC check through the DBS and clearance for work in football by the FA. As the role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, the applicant must disclose all previous convictions including spent convictions.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
Accrington Stanley Football Club's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of age, gender, gender assignment, sexual orientation, marital status or civil partnership, race, nationality, ethnicity (race), religion, ability or disability, pregnancy or maternity and to encourage equal opportunities (Protected Characteristics, Equality Act 2010).
Employees of Accrington Stanley Football Club must ensure a positive commitment towards equality, diversity and inclusion by treating others fairly and not committing any form of discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.
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