Academy Safeguarding & Welfare Lead in London

Job Location: Academy Training Ground, BR3 1NZ

Contract Type: Full-time

Deadline: 22nd February 2026

Who we are: Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites - brand new main offices at Selhurst Park Stadium, our London office, and our Training Ground/Academy, we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees. We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.

About this role: The Club’s Safeguarding Mission is ‘To provide a safe, positive and enjoyable environment for all involved with Crystal Palace Football Club. We will work together to empower and protect individuals, listen and respond to their needs to ensure safeguarding is embedded throughout the Club’. This role is responsible for the day-to-day safeguarding and wellbeing of all players within our successful Category 1 Men’s Football Academy. With a desire to ensure the highest standard of care is delivered across all age groups, this role provides advice and guidance to Academy colleagues to support the development of players, ensuring all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Responsibilities:

• Reporting directly to the Club’s Head of Safeguarding, providing regular updates on safeguarding concerns, compliance and progression of the Club safeguarding strategy.
• Completing tasks and projects as directed to support the Club’s approach to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk, in line with the safeguarding strategy and action plan.
• Work as part of a wider Club Safeguarding team, taking responsibility to ensure the Club and Academy are adhering to and meeting the Premier League Safeguarding Standards.
• Contribute towards and ensure Academy is compliant with the Premier League, the FA, PGAAC and any other Audit requirements as directed by Head of Safeguarding.
• Ensuring compliance and engagement with policies and procedures from a safeguarding perspective and raise any incidents of non-compliance with the Head of Safeguarding.
• Completing, or contributing towards completion of, risk assessments related to safeguarding at the Academy and embedding this process across all Academy related activities.
• Working with others to create a positive, child-centred environment within the Academy, acting as an advocate for the best interests of the child or young person by capturing and representing the player voice.
• Provide guidance and support for projects, events and new initiatives which have safeguarding implications/considerations.
• Participate in Academy inductions for parents and players and delivering safeguarding inductions to new colleagues.
• Develop professional relationships with Academy players, parents and colleagues.
• Provide a physical safeguarding presence within the Academy to develop relationships and support players, which includes a flexibility for occasionally being present at training times or during matches taking place in the evening / weekend.
• Assisting the Head of Safeguarding to manage cases of poor practice and abuse reported to the Club.
• Be the primary point of contact for Academy players, parents and colleagues in relation to any safeguarding, poor practice or welfare concerns.
• Effectively manage Academy related safeguarding concerns under the leadership of the Head of Safeguarding, keeping accurate and timely records utilising the case management system.
• Liaise with, and report where necessary, to statutory and other external bodies regarding matters of child protection, safeguarding concerns and poor practice, in line with Club’s safeguarding policy under the guidance and leadership of the Head of Safeguarding.
• Work closely with all Academy departments to coordinate appropriate support for players.
• Lead on the Host Family provision, including but not limited to; recruitment, risk assessments, placement planning and monitoring checks.
• Support the Head of Safeguarding to act as lead advisor in the Academy on issues or matters relating to Prevent in line with the Club’s policy, strategy and the Premier League Standards.
• Representing the Club at external meetings related to safeguarding.
• Providing safeguarding advice and support to Academy colleagues.
• Act as Welfare Officer for trips and tours where required.
• Being available to support with duties in the absence of other members of the Safeguarding team.
• Able to provide cover and act as Designated Safeguarding Officer on Match Days.
• Advising on Academy safeguarding or welfare related training needs, including development of resources and delivery of training.
• Develop and refresh knowledge and skills by engaging with training and development opportunities as directed by Head of Safeguarding, to maintain continuous professional development.
• Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
• Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

• Substantial safeguarding experience and / or relevant Degree level qualification.
• Experience working directly with young people and/or at-risk groups in a safeguarding capacity or within a safeguarding environment.
• Expert level of knowledge and understanding of current safeguarding issues, legislation, statutory guidance and best practice.
• Relevant safeguarding children training.
• Experience of managing and recording safeguarding concerns, incidents and allegations of poor practice.
• Experience of providing safeguarding advice and guidance to colleagues.
• Knowledge and experience of identifying, assessing and managing risk.
• Knowledge and understanding of recognised safer recruitment practices.
• Knowledge and understanding of GDPR, Data Protection Act and confidentiality.
• A commitment to continued professional development and willingness to undertake regular safeguarding refresher training.
• IT skills including experience of MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams).
• Experience and proficient in the use of MyConcern electronic case management system (desirable).
• FA Safeguarding children qualification (desirable).
• A Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) qualification (desirable).
• Experience of working within Football or elite sport environment (desirable).
• Able to challenge poor practice or inappropriate behaviour.
• Able to be flexible to meet the needs of Player and Academy schedules.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and at-risk groups.
• Able to form positive, professional relationships by being approachable, reliable and honest with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Able to work with conflict and emotionally distressing matters.
• Able to promote and demonstrate anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Able to complete a satisfactory Enhanced plus Barred DBS check.

Benefits:

• Complimentary match day ticket.
• Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app.
• Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme.
• 20% Discount in our Retail Stores.
• Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex.
• Volunteering Day - 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.
• Travel Season Ticket loan.
• Holiday allowance: 25 Days.

Our commitment to Equality:

At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity. We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club's activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.

Reasonable Adjustment:

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone. If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us. We are here to help you through the whole recruitment process including trying to apply for a vacancy, getting in touch with us through the process, and/or helping with access in case you are required to come in for an interview.

Safeguarding:

Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.