First Team Player Care Officer

Blackburn Rovers Football & Athletic Ltd

Organisation: Blackburn Rovers Football & Athletic Ltd
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Location: BRFC Senior Training Centre, BB6 8FA. Flexibility regarding location is required.
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 28 May 2025
Job Description: Job title: First Team Player Care Officer

Department: Senior Training Centre Operations

Based at: Senior Training Centre, Brockhall Village, Blackburn, BB6 8FA. Flexibility on location may be required.

Reports to: Head of Football Operations

Responsible for: N/A

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week plus home matchdays and any additional hours necessary for the performance of duties. This may include evening and weekend work.

Contractual status: Permanent

Job purpose: Development and delivery of a high-quality player care provision throughout the first team environment. To support in operational and administrative duties relating to the wellbeing and welfare of first team players and families.

Duties and responsibilities:
• To be committed to ensuring the safeguarding and welfare of all stakeholders, promoting their well-being whilst maintaining professional boundaries;
• Responsible for enhancing the overall well-being of players by managing off-field matters to enhance, development and performance.
• Act as the primary point of contact for player welfare for the first team,
ensuring a holistic multi-disciplinary approach to their personal and
professional development.
• Assist with the relocation process for new signings and their families, including housing, schooling, and integration into the community.
• Develop life-skills and player welfare curriculum and provide support with personal and lifestyle matters, supporting and enabling players to manage challenges off the pitch.
• Work closely with club medical, safeguarding, psychology, and performance teams to promote a well-rounded approach to player welfare.
• Designated Safeguarding Officer for the Senior Training Centre, reporting to the Club Safeguarding Manager.
• Deliver training to raise awareness of safeguarding practices, EDI, and Player Welfare to create a culture of trust and inclusion.
• Management of the STC Safeguarding Risk Register ensuring Health & Safety, Prevent and Safeguarding Risks are identified and mitigated when planning and delivering activities, and that they are recorded and shared with those who require it to support safe activity planning and/or delivery.
• To ensure safeguarding forms part of a multi-disciplinary approach to support Academy players’ transition including sharing of information to support and protect children and adults at risk.
• To ensure Safeguarding, Player Welfare and Well-being forms part of a multi-disciplinary approach for player inductions, transitions, loans, and exits.
• To manage safeguarding concerns, liaising with Club Safeguarding
Manager/HR/ Football and statutory authorities as required.
• Ensure robust governance arrangements, policies and procedures are in place for care and accommodation providers and multi-occupancy accommodation if applicable.
• To provide regular updates for the Quarterly Safeguarding Board Report as required
• Support matchday operations, liaising with players’ families and guests.
• Ensure players have access to essential services, including financial advice, language support, and cultural adaptation resources.

Skills required:
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
• Ability to work independently;
• Good communication with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to meet deadlines;
• Approachable within professional boundaries;
• Good listening skills (particularly pastorally for players);
• Good level of analytical skills;
• Competent use of key IT programmes incl. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint as well as key online systems;
• Ability to solve problems;
• Be innovative in thinking and moving the department forward;
• Respect confidentiality, whilst understanding the need to share information in relation to safeguarding and player welfare processes.
• Ability to develop & deliver like-skill sessions

Knowledge /experience required:
• Good knowledge of Safeguarding/child protection legislation, policies and procedures;
• Excellent Knowledge of EDI practices and the ability to create an inclusive environment
• Advocacy skills
• Sound understanding of IT and computer software;
• Full understanding of the football regulations and rules (e.g. the FA, the EFL);
Desirable
• Good knowledge of EFL Safer Working Practices and experience of
implementing EFL Safeguarding Standards
• Good understanding of different faiths and religions
• Ability to speak multiple languages

Qualifications required:
• Previous experience in safeguarding children, vulnerable adults and families.
• FA Safeguarding For All
• FA Safeguarding Children Course
• FA Welfare Officers Course
• FA Player Welfare Course
• Level 3 DSO qualification
• Level 2 Mental Health First Aid
• Proven track record of working within an elite sporting environment
Desirable
• Social Care, Psychology or education degree or relevant professional
qualification
• Level 3 Athlete Personal Development and Lifestyle Course

DBS check required: Yes (enhanced)
How to apply: Due to high-levels of interest, this post may close early so early application is advised, otherwise the closing date for this role is 12 noon on Wednesday 28th May 2025. To apply, please email your application form and covering letter to recruitment@rovers.co.uk CV’s will not be accepted.