The Football Association Independent Mental Health Expert Panel

Our Organisation The Football Association (The FA) is the governing body of football in England. We are responsible for promoting and developing the game at all levels; from grassroots through to the professional game, The FA Cup and the England Teams, and we have two world class assets: Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park. Our vision is to inspire positive change through football; our national game that breaks down barriers and unites people from very different backgrounds. Today, we are the governing body of a national community that includes more than 15.7 million football participants, almost 30 million fans and more than 90,000 grassroots teams. At The FA mental health and wellbeing is a core enabler of everything we do, personally and professionally, on the field and off the field, in how we perform, deliver, and navigate the world around us. The Role As an organisation we are increasingly responding to a range of complex mental health related cases that often involve ethical, psychosocial, and occupational challenges that impact individuals as well as presenting, in some cases, increased organisational risk. As we continue to evolve our internal support structures, we recognise the value that an independent expert panel will bring. The purpose of the Independent Mental Health Expert Panel (IMHEP) is to bring together specialists to provide independent multidisciplinary oversight, consultation, reflective supervision and expert guidance regarding complex mental health cases. The focus of the panel is to support our internal workforce of c.1000 colleagues, for whom we have a duty of care to support and protect mental health and wellbeing. We are looking for individuals with a strong passion for delivering human centred, multidisciplinary mental health care, and a broad knowledge of the mental health challenges faced by individuals working in high performance sport cultures. We are seeking individuals with a sound understanding of the modern game of football in its various forms, and who have a comprehensive working knowledge of the most up to date policy and research progressions in their respective field. Key Accountabilities As a member of the IMHEP you will be required to: Provide twice yearly independent expert case consultation for the Mental Health and Wellbeing (MH&WB) and HR teamsImprove quality and consistency of internal case management Strengthen safeguarding and risk managementEnsure the safety of, and ethical practice by, internal practitioners and the organisationIdentify common themes and learning opportunities Support the MH&WB and HR teams (and in some cases line managers) in managing particularly complex cases (where such support is requested by the MH&WB and HR teams)Offer advisory recommendation, observation and learning Where appropriate support psychologically informed governance and policy The panel will offer recommendation only and The FA retains operational, legal, clinical, safeguarding and managerial accountability for all decisions. The MH&WB team will be responsible for coordinating the panel, chairing meetings, recording and securely storing/sharing relevant information, and remain accountable for all case related decision making. There will be two formal meetings per year where a selection of complex cases will be taken to the panel for review and discussion. Examples of selected cases might include: High-risk mental health concerns Suicidality or self-harm concerns Repeated safeguarding concernsComplex interpersonal challenges or behavioural riskSignificant psychological or emotional trauma Ethical uncertaintyMultidisciplinary or cross function conflict of interestOrganisational riskLongstanding mental health and/ or performance support needs What We Are Looking For Members of the Panel will include: Consultant PsychiatristClinical PsychologistOccupational Psychologist or Organisational ConsultantNeurodiversity SpecialistHealth and Safety Representative Human Resource Specialist Members of the Panel will be expected to participate independently and objectively, and within the boundaries of their professional competence. Any conflicts of interest (case specific or in relation to the organisation whole) must be declared to the Chair of the Panel prior to participation. Contributions must be constructive and offered for the good of The FA and its employees. Members are expected to promote safe and ethical practice at all times and maintain confidentiality throughout (The panel may decide that confidentiality be broken where there is a legal obligation to disclose information, where there is a risk of serious harm to an individual or others, or where the sharing of information is needed to safeguard an individuals welfare) Time Commitment As a minimum, IMHEP members should attend two scheduled meetings per year to review and discuss a selection of identified complex cases. Meetings will usually be face to face on weekdays at The National Football Centre St George's Park, or Wembley Stadium. Additional Panel meetings may be called at the discretion of the Panel Chair. Panel members will also be available for ad hoc consultation on specific matters within the Panel's remit as required. Ad hoc meetings will be kept to a minimum and usually be held online. Members will receive a set fee for attending meetings, and reasonable expenses incurred in order to travel to meetings will be reimbursed. Members will be appointed for an initial term of two years, after which they will be eligible to reapply for another two years, up to four times (maximum of 8 years). Members can resign from the Panel at any point with written notice, and The FA can also terminate appointments where necessary. Role Descriptors The FA are looking to appoint the following specialist roles: Consultant Psychiatrist Providing specialist medical and psychiatric expertise regarding complex mental health presentations, risk assessment considerations, diagnostic complexity, treatment pathways, and psychiatric considerations. Key Responsibilities Provide expert psychiatric consultationAdvise on risk formulationsConsider diagnostic complexitiesProvide expert understanding of severe mental illnessAdvise on treatment considerations and appropriateness of support plansContribute to reflective discussions Essential Qualifications Registered medical practitioner Specialist registration in psychiatryProfessional registration with General Medical Council (GMC) and indemnity insuranceSignificant experience in the management and review of complex mental health Clinical Psychologist Providing psychological formulation, behavioural understanding, trauma-informed diagnosis, and psychologically informed perspective on complex cases. Key Responsibilities Provide psychological formulationAdvise on trauma-informed approachesIdentify behavioural and systemic factorsAdvise on safe and ethical practiceSupport reflective learning process Essential Qualifications HCPC-registered Clinical PsychologistCurrent professional registrationSignificant experience working with complex casesExperience working within a multidisciplinary team Occupational Psychologist or Organisational Consultant Providing expertise on workplace mental health and wellbeing, psychosocial risk factors, systemic stressors, and psychologically well organisations. Key Responsibilities Advise on workplace psychosocial risk factorsConsider organisational impactProvide perspective on psychologically informed workplace approachesSupport broader workplace wellbeing considerations Essential Qualifications Registered Occupational Psychologist or relevant equivalentRelevant professional memberships, including HCPC registrationSignificant experience in organisational mental health Neurodiversity Specialist Providing expertise on neurodiversity, psychosocial risk factors, equality and inclusion support, and systemic risk factors concerning neurodiverse cases management. Key Responsibilities Provide expert advise on appropriate support infrastructure for cases involving neurodiverse diagnosesAdvise on behavioural and systemic factors Support reflective learning process where neurodiverse factors are involved Support escalation process where required Essential Qualifications HCPC-registered Clinical PsychologistCurrent professional registrationSignificant experience working with neurodiverse populations in the workplace Health and Safety Representative Providing expertise regarding workplace health and safety requirements, psychosocial risk management, and organisational safety obligations. Key Responsibilities Support organisational safety considerationsIdentify systemic risk implicationsAdvise on safe systems of workSupport governance and risk compliance Advise on psychosocial risk management Essential Qualifications CertIOSH or CMIOSH membership, or equivalent MIIRSM membershipSignificant experience working with organisational risk management Understanding of organisational risk management legislations including ISO45003Working understanding of psychosocial risk factors Working understanding of supporting organisational wellbeing obligations Human Resource Specialist Providing expertise on employment practice, people management, workplace policies, employee relations, and organisational processes to inform consideration of complex workplace mental health cases. Key Responsibilities Provide advice on HR policies and employment practicesConsider employee relations and workplace processesAdvise on reasonable workplace adjustments and organisational proceduresSupport fair, consistent, and legally compliant decision-makingContribute a people management perspective within multidisciplinary discussions Essential Qualifications Chartered Member or Fellow of the CIPD (or equivalent professional body)Significant senior HR experience, including employee relations and complex workplace casesExperience advising on workplace wellbeing, absence management, and organisational policyExperience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams If you feel that you have the relevant skills and experience, please do apply, and select which panel position you are applying for on the application form. We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities organisation. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.