Exeter City AFC Ltd are looking for Host Families to provide accommodation to our youth players and stars of the future.
The safety, care and welfare of our players is of paramount importance to us. We are looking for Host Families who actively welcome our players and seek to create a second home environment for them where they can integrate as a member of the family and are able to live and study in around their training schedule.
Our youth players aged 16 to 18 years sign a two-year scholarship agreement, the Company does not routinely or regularly offer scholarships and or apprenticeships to under 18 players who cannot commute from home or family-based accommodation. On occasions families request these arrangements because they feel it offers the best option for their son and because their son feels strongly about progressing through the Academy.
Placement periods may vary from short-term to long-term and may include accommodation for trialists or holiday cover for other Host Families.
Consideration for hosting or accommodating players will only be given to those under 18 players where families and the player present a convincing case of need or where players are with the Company on a short-term trial or a player on loan. Those intending to host children under the age of 16 will be required to work within the requirements of Private Fostering Regulations.
We need to plan ahead for 2022-23 season and are looking for good quality accommodation, preferably in a family environment that can accommodate a minimum of 1 player and a maximum of 2 players per household on the basis that each player in their household is provided with their own room.
Requirements include the provision of a daily breakfast and evening meal, with occasional lunches, access to laundry facilities and wireless internet. The Host Families would ideally be situated in a 10-mile radius of our Training Ground (EX5 1DP) for ease of commute, whilst access to public transport and local amenities is desirable.
As a Host Family you will be expected to work in partnership with the player’s family/legal guardian’s, Academy and school or college where appropriate to ensure each player is safe, well supported and provided with every opportunity to achieve their ambitions in a football context and in other areas of their lives and development.
If you think you can work with us to play a key role in the development of our young players are interested in applying to provide a caring ‘home from home’ then we would love to hear from you. All applicants will be required to follow the Safe Recruitment process and undergo an interview and a house visit will be carried out by our Head of Education and Player Care and Academy Designated Safeguarding Officer to ensure a full assessment is made and consideration of suitability. A placement plan will be agreed for each youth player accommodated by a host family and all families will be expected to have fully read, understood, and adhere to our Host Family Policy.
Please be aware that this position is subject to a satisfactory enhanced criminal records check (DBS) and that all those aged sixteen and above, who are resident in the accommodation, will be expected to apply for an enhanced check immediately and every three years thereafter.
A monthly fee is payable to the Host Family for the duration of the placement. For further information on Host Families please refer to the Host Family Policy.
For a closer look at how being a Host Family has benefitted the careers of some of our stars, check out this video with Cheick Diabate, who revisited his former host Ruth to discuss how her generosity shaped Cheick's Exeter City journey.
How to apply
If you wish to apply, please review the Host Family Policy for this post and then complete a Host Family Application Form and send a copy of your current CV and a covering letter to HR, Exeter City Football Club, St James Park, Stadium Way, Exeter, Devon, EX4 6PX or email hr@ecfc.co.uk.
Only completed applications that are sent directly to HR will be accepted. Any applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
All candidates will require a DBS Check and must be able to prove their eligibility to work within the UK at Interview.
ECFC is an equal opportunities employer and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Any applicant wishing to be considered as a Host Family will need to demonstrate they are able to share this commitment.