Nottingham Forest Football Club
Academy Psychologist (U9's - U18's)
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Academy Psychologist (U9's - U18's)
Academy Psychology Support Role
Salary: Please state your expectations within your application
Contract: Full Time, 42 hours a week
Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR
Reports to: Academy Player Care And Wellbeing Lead
Closing Date: 17th July 2026
About the Role
You will be responsible for the delivery and implementation of a Psychology programme across the Foundation Phase, Youth Development Phase, and Under 18’s. Working as part of a psychology team and wider Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), you will contribute to developing a supportive and challenging environment that fosters player growth through personalised support and developmental initiatives.
Key focus areas include enhancing the understanding and application of psychological principles by all stakeholders – players, parents, guardians, and staff – to ensure holistic development.
The Perks of the Job
- Access to tickets for events at The City Ground
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounts on high street brands and gyms
- Store-wide discount in the Club shop
- Free on-site parking
Key Tasks & Responsibilities
- Deliver a periodised psychological syllabus, tailoring support to players across Foundation Phase, Youth Development Phase, and Under 18’s.
- Lead and deliver parental/guardian workshops on psychological development, with a particular focus on managing challenges where requested.
- Collaborate with staff to enhance their awareness and application of the psychology syllabus across disciplines. Provide practical interventions, feedback, and training.
- Design and oversee Individual Development Plans for all key phases, aligning with grading and observational insights.
- Shape the psychological support environment, ensuring high levels of challenge and support for player development.
- Work closely with the Academy & Women’s Lead Psychologist and Academy Player Care and Wellbeing Lead to support player transitions between age groups.
- Identify innovative opportunities to provide enriching experiences that develop players as both athletes and individuals.
- Lead the use of cognitive testing, implementing an innovative platform to track and optimise player development. Contribute to a working group exploring how cognitive insights inform applied practice.
- Engage with all MDT staff to identify opportunities where psychological support can enhance player growth.
- Play an active role in the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Personalisation (SWEP) team, contributing to case management and resolving open concerns.
- Collaborate on Academy Mental Health Strategy & Action Plan implementation, fostering positive mental health among young players.
- Promote a culture that enhances staff well-being and supports a positive working environment for young people.
- Assist psychologists in efficient workload management when critical support is required.
- Help deliver Spotlight profiling and team development assessments.
- Provide monthly progress reports to inform Academy-wide strategy.
- Maintain player confidentiality while adhering to professional codes of conduct and ethical practice guidelines.
- Contribute to ongoing professional development, staying ahead of best practices through CPD, external networking, and observations.
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What We’re Looking for
Essential Requirements
- Postgraduate degree in Sport Psychology
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registration (or recognition as part of an approved training route, such as CASES or BPS Akademia)
- FA Safeguarding Children qualification
- Experience working in elite sport
- Past involvement in an Academy Football environment
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Desirable Traits
- Mental Health First Aid Qualification
- Familiarity with Football for Everyone initiatives
Our Commitments
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
We embrace diversity and thrive on individual differences. Applications are welcome from all backgrounds, while collecting diversity data to support our FA Football Leadership Diversity Code initiatives. We actively promote a culture where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered to perform at their best.
Disability-Friendly Employer
As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we encourage applicants with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you require the support of disability adjustments, please mention this within your application.
Under the Equality Act 2010, eligible candidates can be offered interview placements through the Disability Confident Scheme.
Safeguarding
The successful applicant will need to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check or FA Enhanced DBS check, including growing standards on safer recruitment. Disclosure results will be considered individually and managed proportionately to safeguarding risks. Serious concerns about convictions or cautions should be disclosed immediately.
Failure to uphold safeguarding criteria could result in the withdrawal of the job offer or, if already employed, summary termination. Adherence to holistic policies and club conduct standards will remain a fundamental expectation.
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