Houseparent

Blackburn Rovers Football & Athletic Ltd

Organisation: Blackburn Rovers Football & Athletic Ltd
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Location: The Lodge, Brockhall Village, Old Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8FA
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 11 June 2025
Job Description: Job title: Houseparent

Department: Education and Player Care

Based at: The Lodge, Brockhall Village, Old Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8FA.

Reports to: Head of Education & Player Care

Responsible for: Blackburn Rovers Academy Scholars

Hours of work: 45 hours per week (including evening stand-by time) plus any additional hours necessary for the performance of duties. This includes evening and weekend work.

Contractual Status: Permanent

Job purpose: To oversee and manage all aspects of the multi-occupancy accommodation for 16–18-year-old elite footballers. To create and maintain a safe, and welcoming environment for players living at the complex in accordance with the agreed club standards, policies, and procedures.

2. Duties and responsibilities:
• To be committed to ensuring the safeguarding and welfare of all elite players, promoting their well-being, and contributing to meeting their pastoral needs whilst maintaining professional boundaries;
• To develop strong and professional relationships with the players providing emotional support when necessary and promoting a family style environment away from their formal Academy programme;
• To assist with the transportation of scholars to matches and social trips where required;
• To build and maintain effective and professional relationships with the families of the residential scholars;
• To encourage model behaviours in conjunction with the Academy and Club values;
• To encourage and monitor compliance with the Scholars code of conduct and Behavioural Management procedure;
• To liaise with all relevant Academy personnel regarding matters relating to the management of the accommodation and provide daily briefing/handover sheet;
• To provide and encourage opportunities for the scholars to develop personal maturity through appropriate freedoms and responsibilities, including and optional social program;
• To maintain and develop a child-centred environment, fostering inclusion of individual circumstances and cultural diversity;
• Ensure a secure and safe living and working environment for all scholars residing in the accommodation facility which will include routine cleaning duties and reporting maintenance concerns where necessary;
• To act as a mentor and role model to the residential scholars;
• To attend relevant CPD training as required or deemed necessary by the Head of Education and Player Care;
• To maintain records as required in respect of residential scholars in accordance with Club’s Data Protection policies;
• To attend and contribute to weekly meetings with the Head of Education & Player Care and Player Care Officer;
• To provide call-out duties regarding the Lodge and Senior Training Centre security; and
• Any other duties as reasonably assigned by the Academy Manager and/or Head of Education and Player Care.

Skills required:
• The ability to be flexible to meet the demands of the business with reference to working hours during unsociable times i.e bank holidays, weekends and evenings;
• Excellent communication and rapport building qualities with a friendly and welcoming attitude;
• The ability to understand the requirements of establishing professional boundaries with young people;
• The ability to provide empathy and an understanding of the needs of young elite athletes living away from home;
• To hold and understanding and appreciation of a healthy lifestyle with the ability to encourage in others;
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a team within a multidisciplinary environment;
• Excellent leadership skills with the aptitude to work under minimum supervision;
• IT literate with the ability to operate multiple Microsoft packages including outlook;
• The ability to lead and co-ordinate large groups of young people with the ability to apply structure and standards consistently; and
• The successful candidates must have a home away from the Lodge for which they will be expected to reside when not on duty.

Knowledge required:
• A good understanding of residential care operations;
• Knowledge of safeguarding requirements and legislation;
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements and legislation;
• Experience of mentoring children or young people to support their personal and professional development; and
• Previous experience of working with children or young people.

Qualifications required:
• GCSE’s or equivalent educational qualifications;
• FA Safeguarding;
• FA Player Welfare Training;
• Mental Health First Aid Award;
• First Aid training; and
• Youth work, social care related qualifications (desirable)

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 5pm on Wednesday 11th June 2025. To apply, please submit your application through the EFL I-Recruit platform HERE CV’s will not be accepted.