Academy Player Care Lead

Organisation: Millwall Football Club
Salary: TBC on Interview
Location: Millwall Football Club, Well Hall, Kidbrooke Lane, London, SE9 6TE
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 31 August 2025
Job Description: Salary: TBC

Location: Well Hall Training Ground, Kidbrooke Lane, Eltham, SE9 6TE

Hours of work: Full-time, with some evenings and weekends required



About us: Established in 1885, Millwall Football Club is one of the most famous football clubs in England. Currently competing in the EFL Championship, they play their home games at The Den, which is based in South Bermondsey, and has been the home of the Club since 1994.



Role Overview:

The Academy Player Care Lead is responsible for supporting the holistic development of all academy players, focusing on their personal growth, life skills, mental and emotional well-being, and transitions both within football and into life beyond the game

Key Responsibilities:

The role includes, but is not limited to:

· Design, implement, and manage induction and transition strategies for players joining, progressing within, or leaving the Academy

· Lead the Academy Alumni programme, offering post-departure support for up to three years, focusing on well-being and career pathways

· Maintain visibility at fixtures and training to build trusted relationships with players and parents

· Provide one-to-one support to players and families, ensuring awareness of available internal and external resources

· Collaborate with the Head of Safeguarding to address welfare concerns and maintain safe host family arrangements

· Drive the Life Skills programme across all phases of the Academy

· Organise meetings, workshops, and Player/Parent Voice groups throughout the season

· Promote positive mental health initiatives and act as a Mental Health Champion

· Represent the Academy on the Club’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Board

· Work with the FA, Premier League, EFL, LFE and other bodies to meet Player Care standards for a Category 2 Academy

· Ensure compliance with EPPP requirements, risk assessments, and safeguarding procedures

· Actively contribute to the Academy Strategy Team and relevant external meetings

Essential Requirements / Qualifications:

· Safeguarding awareness and/or qualifications

· Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills with a professional and honest approach

· The successful candidate shall also display attributes that align with the values of the academy:

Attitude – Selfless – Respect – Integrity – Respect – Excellence

· And finally, from a safeguarding perspective, the successful candidate should be resilient, self-aware and open to sharing information



Desired Requirements/ Qualifications:

· Previous experience in a player care role

· Relevant experience within other EPPP environments

· Knowledge and understanding of EPPP requirements

How to Apply: To comply with safer recruitment procedures for the Club we are unable to accept CV’s.

Please ensure that you complete our standard application form (which is available via a link on our website). If you do require assistance in any part of the application process, please contact us via recruit@millwallfc.co.uk

Application Form Link: www.millwallfc.co.uk/club-information/work-for-the-lions/application-form

All applications need to be sent to recruit@millwallfc.co.uk

Due to the quantity of applicants expected, only those short-listed will be notified.



Closing Date: Sunday 31st August 2025

This document is a guide only and should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in the light of changing needs of the organisation. All employees may be required to undertake any other duties as may be reasonably requested.

Millwall Football Club are fully committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discrimination. We will work to address areas of under-representation and disadvantage in all aspects of our operations, activities and services. In practice, this means that we will respect the needs of each and every individual regardless of their differences; and to this end we will deliver our operations, activities and services in such a way so as to ensure that that no one is excluded.

‘Millwall FC is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. The successful candidate may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through The FA DBS process. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information given.’

Safeguarding Policy Statement

Because of the nature of the work undertaken by The Millwall Football and Athletic Company (1985) Limited (MFC), it is required by law to have in place robust safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure the protection of children, young people and adults at risk. To ensure that MFC meets that duty - and as part of a proactive, integrated and consistent approach to safeguarding - the organisation has developed a Safeguarding Handbook.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and protect them from harm. Safeguarding means protecting people from abuse, maltreatment, neglect, harm and/or exploitation. Through MFC setting up and following good safeguarding policies and procedures, it means that children, young people and adults at risk - that come into contact with our organisation - are protected from those that might pose a risk. All organisations that work with (or come into contact with) children, young people and adults at risk are required to have safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that everyone - regardless of their age, gender, religion or ethnicity - can be protected from harm.

MFC’s Safeguarding Ethos

MFC will always seek to provide protection to any person that receives our services. To this end MFC will provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm. MFC believes that a no one should ever experience abuse of any kind. MFC have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk to keep them safe. MFC are committed to work in a way that protects them. This Safeguarding Policy Statement applies to everyone that comes into contact with MFC - including as applicable - the Board of Directors & Executive Team, Senior Managers, Staff, Agency Staff, Contractors, Suppliers, Volunteers, Students on work experience, as well as anyone else working on behalf of MFC. This policy also applies to any other person that engages with the work of MFC and includes parents, carers, families and other visitors to MFC premises.

Safeguarding at MFC

MFC places the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk as its prime focus and has developed full safeguarding policies and procedures. To underpin the approach, MFC ensures all of its management team, staff members and volunteers have been fully trained in safeguarding to enable the organisation to live and breathe its approach. In developing MFC’s safeguarding policies and procedures, the organisation has adopted the following three-part safeguarding strategy which focuses on:

1.      Getting the right people involved with MFC

This is achieved through adherence to MFC’s Safer Recruitment Policies and Procedures.

2.      Creating a safe environment for children, young people & adults at risk

This is achieved by providing all required safeguarding training, support and best practice advice; and further guidance by the effective communication of MFC’s Codes of Conduct.

3.      Promoting clear systems to deal with any safeguarding concerns

This is achieved through implementation of all MFC’s policies and procedures relating to safeguarding.

A full copy of MFC’s Safeguarding Handbook is available by speaking with (or contacting) the MFC person responsible for safeguarding.
How to apply: How to Apply: To comply with safer recruitment procedures for the Club we are unable to accept CV’s. Please ensure that you complete our standard application form (which is available via a link on our website). If you do require assistance in any part of the application process, please contact us via recruit@millwallfc.co.uk Application Form Link: www.millwallfc.co.uk/club-information/work-for-the-lions/application-form All applications need to be sent to recruit@millwallfc.co.uk Due to the quantity of applicants expected, only those short-listed will be notified. Closing Date: Sunday 31st August 2025