Host Families
Aston Villa are seeking care & accommodation providers (host families) who can provide a suitable home for Academy players aged 14-23 years. Our ideal Host family provision will be able to offer our young players a stable, safe, comfortable (and we hope) a happy family environment. We believe our players perform better on the pitch when they are settled and content at home.
At Villa we pride ourselves on a nurturing environment and we want our players to fulfil their potential both on and off the pitch.
- You will be located within a Sutton Coldfield (postcode B72, B73, B74, B75, B76) close to our education partner and 15 minutes/ 7 miles to the training ground facility (B78 2BB) you should offer good quality accommodation, preferably in a family environment.
- Other requirements are the provision of a daily breakfast, evening meal and occasional lunches, access to laundry facilities and WiFi.
- Full and part-time accommodation will be required over 12 months of the year to reflect the football season.
- The willingness to accommodate players on a short-term basis throughout the season is also desirable.
If you think you are the kind of family who can work with us to play a key role in the development of our young players, then we would like to hear from you. You will be subject to a full enhanced DBS Check, references and must be committed to completing Safeguarding Training.
Hosting a player during their career at Aston Villa can be very rewarding, fun, and educational for all involved and provides a valuable extra income.
Job Description
Term: Self-Employed Contractor
Location: Within Sutton Coldfield postcode B72, B73, B74, B75, B76 due to being close to our education partner and club transport pick-up points.
Salary:
- Adequate Remuneration, dependent on number of players and nights per week
- Academy Game Tickets
Application closing dates : Ongoing
Aston Villa Football Club are currently seeking care and accommodation providers (host Families) to support our academy players who will be required to live away from home to fulfil their education and football training at our club. This provision supports our young people’s holistic experience and will enable them to reach their full potential.
The host family provider will help fulfil the club’s duty of care with regard to our young people by ensuring homely accommodation is provided throughout the season to our young people who require it. Our placements vary from one-night stays to 5-7 nights per week and we are looking for host families who can offer either of these placement types to our young people aged between 14 – 23 years old.
Requirements and Responsibilities:
- Provide a homely and friendly environment for our young people.
- Support our young people by teaching them basic independent living and self-care skills such as washing, cooking and cleaning up after themselves.
- Provide meals in line with nutritional guidance from the Academy.
- Accommodation has access to public and local amenities with good transport links to the Academy training ground.
- Report any welfare concerns to the Academy Safeguarding and Welfare team should they occur. • Include our young people in family life as much as they feel comfortable with.
- The club will regularly inspect and visit the placement during the season.
- The club will provide further guidance to host families, young people and their parents explaining what would be expected of them.
Aston Villa Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and young people and expects host families to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check and risk assessments prior to a placement commencing. Any other person who resides in the household or has regular contact will also legally be required to complete an enhanced DBS. Care and Accommodation providers will be required to attend safeguarding training and workshops (if necessary) arranged by the Academy.
Essential Requirements and Skills:
- Provide the young person with a suitable and safe environment.
- Provide the young person with their own single, ideally double size bedroom.
- Excellent communication and listening skills and ability to build trusted working relationships.
- Able to cope with the young person’s flexible schedule throughout the football season.
Desirable Knowledge, Experience and Skills:
- Experience and knowledge of working with young people.
- An understanding of the emotional impact and well-being challenges that academy/ professional life may bring.
- Child-focused approach.
- Ability to promote and demonstrate anti-discriminatory practice.
- Capacity to accommodate more than one player.
As part of the recruitment process the club would need to conduct a number of home visits to determine the suitability and ensure the home meets the requirements for hosting young players within the academy.