Casual Houseparent in Blackburn

Job title: Houseparent

Department: Education and Player Care

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

Reports to: Academy Player Care Manager

Responsible for: N/A

Hours of work: Casual - as and when required.

Contractual Status: Casual

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.

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)

Due to high-levels of interest, this post may close early, otherwise the closing date for this role is 5pm on Friday 25th September 2026.