- Company Name
- Crystal Palace Football Club
- Job Title
- Academy Safeguarding & Welfare Lead
- Job Description
-
Job title: Academy Safeguarding & Welfare Lead
Role Summary:
Lead safeguarding and welfare strategy for a Category 1 Men’s Football Academy, ensuring compliance with Premier League, FA, PGAAC and statutory standards. Act as primary safeguard, welfare officer and host‑family coordinator, providing guidance, training, and case management to protect players, parents, and staff.
Expectations:
- Deliver high‑standard safeguarding and welfare across all age groups.
- Maintain compliance with all relevant safeguarding legislation and club policies.
- Serve as point of contact for safeguarding, abuse and welfare concerns, ensuring timely resolution.
- Participate in and lead safeguarding inductions and training for staff, parents and players.
Key Responsibilities:
- Report to Head of Safeguarding, update on concerns, compliance and strategy progress.
- Implement safeguarding action plan, risk assessments, and monitoring across Academy activities.
- Ensure Academy meets Premier League, FA, PGAAC and audit requirements.
- Conduct safeguarding inductions and training for staff, parents, and players.
- Manage a physical safeguarding presence on training sessions and matches; serve as welfare officer for trips/tours.
- Lead host‑family program: recruitment, risk assessment, placement planning, and monitoring.
- Liaise with statutory bodies and external agencies on child protection matters.
- Provide safeguarding advice, support and resources to Academy departments.
- Represent club at external safeguarding meetings.
- Cover safeguarding duties during absences; act as Designated Safeguarding Officer on match days.
- Continually develop safeguarding knowledge through training and professional development.
Required Skills:
- In‑depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation, Premier League and FA standards, and best practice.
- Strong case‑management skills using safeguarding software.
- Excellent communication, advisory and advocacy abilities.
- Ability to develop and deliver training materials.
- Relationship‑building with players, parents, staff, and external agencies.
- Problem‑solving and decision‑making under pressure.
Required Education & Certifications:
- Minimum university qualification (e.g., BA/BSc).
- Relevant safeguarding qualification (e.g., Diploma in Safeguarding Children, Safeguarding in Sport, or equivalent).
- Preferable experience in youth sports, education or child protection roles.