Academy Psychologist

JOB TITLE                                      Academy Psychologist

DEPARTMENT                                Academy

RESPONSIBLE TO                          Academy Manager (Direct), Head of Sport Science & Medicine

SALARY                                         Competitive

CONTRACT                                    Full-time, 40 hours a week

WORK FLEXIBILITY                        The position will involve working irregular hours; evenings, weekends and bank holidays)

Purpose of Role

To be responsible for supporting the psychological development of Academy players across all age groups (Foundation Phase, Youth Development Phase & Professional Development Phase), in line with Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) requirements. The role involves delivering individual and group psychological support, contributing to player development and work closely with players, parents and the wider multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to embed psychological principles throughout the Academy programme.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Player Support & Development

• Deliver individual and group psychology sessions to support the players’ mental skills development.
• Contribute to players’ Individual Development Plans (IDPs), setting and reviewing psychological development target alongside coaching staff, where necessary.
• Provide one-to-one support for players experiencing performance difficulties, injury-related psychological challenges, or personal/wellbeing concerns, referring to external mental health services where appropriate.

   

  Coach & Staff Support

• Work alongside coaching staff to embed psychological principles into the coaching curriculum and matchday environment.
• Deliver workshops to coaches to upskill them in their ability to embed psychological principles into their training and matchday environments.
• Support staff where relevant to help build a positive psychologically informed academy culture.

   

  Multi-disciplinary Collaboration

• Work as part of the academy MDT, attending player review meetings and contributing to Player Development meetings.
• Liaise with medical and sports science staff regarding players undergoing injury rehabilitation, providing psychological support to aid recover and return to play.
• Collaborate with education and player care to support players’ holistic development, including school performance and personal development.

   

  Parent & Family Engagement

• Deliver educational sessions and resources for parents/guardians on supporting their child’s psychological development within the academy environment.
• Act as a point of contact for parents regarding psychological wellbeing concerns, working within appropriate confidentiality and safeguarding boundaries.

Programme Design & Compliance

• Design, deliver and evaluate age-appropriate psychology curricula across all academy phases, ensuring alignment with EPPP standards and audit requirements.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of player support sessions in line with HCPC standards, GDPR, and club data protection policies.
• Contribute to EPPP audits and quality assurance processes relating to psychological provision.

Safeguarding & Professional Practice

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of all children and young people in line with the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Operate within the British Psychological Society (BPS) and HCPC codes of conduct, ethics, and professional standards at all times.
• Report any safeguarding issues in a timely manner on the club’s CPOMS system.

Continuous Professional Development

• Maintain HCPC registration and engage in ongoing CPD in line with professional body requirements.
• Stay current with research and developments in sport and exercise psychology, youth development and safeguarding best practice.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Must be a qualified Sport and Exercise Psychologist, registered as a Practitioner Psychologist on the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Register of Health and Care Professionals
• Degree in Psychology, Sport Psychology or equivalent.
• Experience delivering psychological support within an elite sport, youth development, or academy environment.
• Strong understanding of EPPP standards relating to psychological provision and player welfare.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong trusted relationships with players, parents, coaches and the wider MDT.
• Sound understanding of safeguarding practice and confidentiality requirements when working with children and young people.

  Desirable

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Sport Psychology or equivalent.
• Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Experience working within a football academy.
• Experience delivering workshops or CPD sessions to coaching staff and parents
• Full UK Driving License

   

  General Accountabilities

• Continue to challenge, learn and set standards within performance analysis
• Creative and open-minded
• Being proactive in organization
• Attentive to detail and driven to succeed
• To always maintain a flexible approach to work
• To build and maintain good working relationships both internally and externally

CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK REQUIREMENT

This role will require an Enhanced DBS Check.

GENERAL STATEMENT

Should an adequate number of applications be received prior to the closing date, Swansea City AFC reserve the right to remove this advert.

Due to a high demand in applications the Club will be unable to respond to those applicants who have not been shortlisted for interview.

SAFEGUARDING & WELFARE

The Company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people involved in activities and event at the Company. As part of the Company’s recruitment and selection process any offers of work involving working in regulated activity with children are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS Disclosure and barred list check (depending on the level of supervision, frequency, and nature of contact with children).

The Company may also conduct online searches of candidates who have been shortlisted as part of its safer recruitment procedures.  Appropriate references will be required.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT

Swansea City AFC strives to ensure it provides an environment where everyone's rights, dignity and individual worth is respected and takes a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination.  Equal Opportunity is an integral part of our recruitment and selection process, and we welcome applications from all individuals who feel they meet the core requirements of the role.

We are particularly encouraging applications from women, disabled people and individuals from diverse ethnic communities who are currently under-represented within the

organisation.

All appointments will be made on merit of skill and experience relative to the role.