U9-16 Academy Player Care Officer at Crystal Palace Football Club

About this role:

To lead and deliver a holistic Player Care provision for U9–U16 players, ensuring high-quality pastoral support, a progressive Lifeskills and Personal Development curriculum, and effective transition support throughout the Academy journey. The role will work collaboratively across the Academy to promote wellbeing, safeguarding, and positive development in line with EPPP standards.

Responsibilities:

• Provide consistent and proactive support to players and families throughout their Academy journey, ensuring continuity across FDP and YDP.
• Co-develop and deliver a bespoke U9–U16 Lifeskills and Personal Development curriculum aligned across the Academy pathway, shaping provision to reflect the evolving needs of players and families.
• Develop strong relationships with key Academy stakeholders. These include parents, players, coaches, and other Academy staff.
• Act as a visible and trusted point of contact for FDP and YDP players and parents throughout their Academy journey and during training and matches.
• Implement the Academy Player Care Transition Strategy across FDP and YDP, providing structured support at key transition points including induction, progression and exit.
• Work collaboratively within the Academy Welfare Team, promoting the Academy’s safeguarding standards for children & young people and ensuring that club policies and procedures are adhered to at all times.
• Attend and contribute effectively to multidisciplinary department meetings and welfare team meetings to ensure joined-up player support.
• Support staff in various Academy stakeholder meetings. These include parent complaint procedures, school meetings and further pastoral meetings.
• Liaise with governing bodies and organizations such as the FA, Premier League and PFA to provide relevant support to players and parents.
• Monitor, review and evidence impact to ensure quality, consistency and audit readiness in line with EPPP standards.
• Support the department and Academy in PGAAC audit process effectively evidencing documentation in line with the Premier League rules.
• Travel with Academy squads to provide pastoral support during tours and tournaments. This includes being the first point of contact for parents whilst away.
• Act as a point of contact for parents in relation to Academy transport matters, supporting communication and player welfare.
• Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
• Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

Essential

• Passion and knowledge of Player Care requirements to support the wellbeing of young aspiring athletes.
• Experience of working with children, young people and families in an education, wellbeing or support position.
• Comprehensive understanding of safeguarding children and young people.
• Ability to manage time effectively and prioritise workload as well as support others.
• Comprehensive understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Demonstrable/visible commitment to Player Care, health & wellbeing.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrable ability to develop good relationships with key Academy stakeholders.
• Ability to create and deliver age-appropriate workshops and structured parent engagement sessions.
• Good IT skills and the ability to create reports and presentations.

Desirable

• Degree or qualifications in sport, education, or social care.
• Experience of working within an elite performance environment (sport, academia, music or arts)