ROLE DESCRIPTION

About the job
Location: Carrington Training Centre

At Manchester United, our focus is to create a high-performance environment where everyone can be their best, working together towards our common goal of football success. We believe the key to achieving this goal is connection and collaboration. Everyone coming together, working from one of our Manchester United office locations every working day to share skills, knowledge and ideas, building on the best of what we already do and looking at where we need to change and innovate.

The Purpose

The Academy Safeguarding & Player Support Advisor is responsible for the safety, well-being, and holistic development of academy players. This role involves implementing and managing safeguarding policies, providing support services to players, and working closely with staff, parents / carers, host families and external agencies to create a secure and nurturing environment.

Safeguarding

The Role:


Under the guidance of the Academy Safeguarding & Player Support Manager, develop, implement, and monitor safeguarding policies and procedures in line with national and football governing body standards.
Conduct regular safeguarding training sessions for staff, players, and parents.
Manage and respond to safeguarding concerns, ensuring all incidents are reported and addressed in accordance with policy.
Promote safeguarding awareness for parent/carers and players.
Maintain accurate and confidential records of all safeguarding concerns and actions taken.


Player Support:


Provide support to players, ensuring their well-being on and off the field.
Contribute to the player induction and transition processes.
Attend Academy activities, such as Games Programme match days.


Host Families:


Manage the operational placement of players to host family accommodation, leading on the implementation plan and resilience of Host Family provision to meet Academy needs.
Lead on the identification, recruitment, assessment & onboarding of Host Families in accordance with the Host Family policy, Safeguarding Children & Adults at risk policy, Safer Working Practice Guidance and Recruitment policy.
Implement multidisciplinary risk assessments which include safeguarding, health and safety, medical and other applicable functions within the academy, which are applied to new Host Family applications as well as the current provision.
Coordinate the Host Family selection and approval panel which includes the Head of Safeguarding and Academy Operations Manager.
Manage the contractual agreements between the Club and Host Families, ensuring relevant processes are in place to support loco parentis support and safer caring arrangements.
Develop and maintain working relationships with Trafford MBC to ensure adherence to Private Fostering Regulations in the case of any child under the age of sixteen.
Implement matching processes and placement plans that take account of the specific individual needs of children, ensuring the voice of the child, and parent/carers are consulted about placements and regularly communication is maintained throughout the placement.
Coordinate the placement plans ensuring they take account of specific individual needs to show how the child’s specific needs will be met.
Develop the relationship between host family and Academy colleagues, creating a clear understanding of the value Host Families bring to the player’s football journey.
Implement a workforce development plan with relevant Club staff to ensure relevant continual professional development for Host Families and associated safer caring arrangements.
Monitor Host Family placements and ensure regular routine visits and reviews, including unannounced visits and coordination of a record of all planned and unannounced visits.


Monitoring and Evaluation:


Regularly review and evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding and player support initiatives.
Collect and analyse data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Prepare reports for the academy management and governing bodies on safeguarding and player welfare.
Lead the Academy Activity Risk Assessment process, providing advice and training to staff designated as ‘Tour / Activity Lead’.


The Person

Skills & Knowledge


Technical and practical knowledge in safeguarding children and young people by a relevant professional qualification - as safeguarding & welfare advisor you will need to have a significant level of professional knowledge to provide the best safeguarding outcomes
Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, able to manage conflict and handle difficult and or sensitive issues. The very nature of our work means we are called on to handle sensitive situations regularly.
Able to supervise, mentor and support children and parent/carers remotely - our team works flexibly and with teams based across the Northwest and remote support is vital to our success.


Experience


Must have demonstrable knowledge of safeguarding in a range of settings and across diverse communities - Our young people come from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances, so a breadth of understanding is important.
Experience of implementing change within safeguarding settings, working collaboratively across wider teams and empowering colleagues to be effective within all aspects of safeguarding practice. It is vital we work as one team alongside our delivery partners and other departments to ensure a consistent approach to all safeguarding challenges.
Experience of building and maintaining relationships with external agencies, referral pathways and organisations - We build crucial relationships to ensure the most effective support for our young people and to deliver outstanding service


Experience of performance improvement in a complex organisation using all forms of data. We are committed to improving our practice in ways that are evidence based and robust. This gives clarity in complex situations and provides confidence to children and adults at risk, our workforce and stakeholders.

If you'd like to submit your application, please do so by Tuesday 27th August.

We recognise the importance of safeguarding children and adults at risk at Manchester United, as part of this commitment this post is required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level, as well as full reference history.

Manchester United is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to background, ethnicity, race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or other legally protected characteristics.

Manchester United Football Club are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, supporting the armed forces community to transition into careers outside of the armed forces.

Manchester United is committed to working with and providing reasonable adjustments for applicants and employees. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application and perform at your best, please do not hesitate to contact us to make a request; we are here to help.

It is unlawful to employ a person in a UK-based job who does not have permission to live and work in the UK. You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to you before applying for any of our roles. Your personal data will be processed on MU’s behalf by Korn Ferry.