Northampton Saints is committed to creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone who engages with the Club, whether as a supporter, participant, volunteer, parent, partner, visitor or employee.

We believe that everyone has the right to feel safe, respected and valued. Safeguarding is at the heart of our values and applies across all Club, Academy, Foundation, community and matchday activities.

We take all concerns relating to the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk seriously and will act appropriately to protect those who may be vulnerable.

Our Safeguarding Framework

Northampton Saints maintains safeguarding oversight across all areas of the Club through designated safeguarding leads and officers who support:

• The Club
• Academy
• Community programmes
• Matchday operations
• Foundation activities

Our safeguarding team provides guidance, manages concerns, supports individuals raising concerns and works closely with statutory agencies, governing bodies and partner organisations where required.

Creating a Safe Environment Together

Everyone attending Northampton Saints activities is expected to:

• Treat others with dignity and respect.
• Help create a welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Challenge inappropriate behaviour where it is safe to do so.
• Report concerns about welfare or safety.
• Respect the experience of children, young people and adults at risk.

There is no place at Northampton Saints for abuse, harassment, discrimination, bullying or behaviour that makes others feel unsafe.

Northampton Saints reserves the right to remove, suspend or ban any individual from attending Club events, activities or venues where their behaviour jeopardises the safety, wellbeing or enjoyment of others, or breaches our zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, discrimination, abuse or any other unacceptable conduct.

Unacceptable Behaviour

Northampton Saints is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone who attends our matches, events, community programmes and Club activities.

Behaviour that threatens, intimidates, harasses, discriminates against, or negatively impacts the safety, welfare or enjoyment of others is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Bullying, harassment or intimidation.
• Physical, verbal or online abuse.
• Discriminatory behaviour or language relating to age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or any other protected characteristic.
• Sexual harassment or unwanted sexual behaviour.
• Threatening, aggressive or violent conduct.
• Conduct that places a child, young person or adult at risk at risk of harm.
• Persistent antisocial or disruptive behaviour.
• Any action that makes another person feel unsafe, unwelcome or unable to enjoy their experience at Northampton Saints.

We encourage everyone to play their part in creating a safe and respectful environment by reporting concerns and treating others with dignity, courtesy and respect.

Information for Parents and Guardians

We work hard to create environments where children and young people can enjoy rugby and other activities safely.

Parents and guardians can expect Northampton Saints to:

• Take concerns seriously.
• Operate robust safeguarding procedures.
• Ensure appropriate safeguarding training is completed.
• Respond appropriately to incidents, concerns or disclosures.
• Promote safe and respectful behaviour across all activities.

If you have any concerns about your child's welfare while participating in Northampton Saints activities, please contact a member of our safeguarding team.

VIEW OUR SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY

VIEW OUR SAFER RECRUITMENT POLICY

Safeguarding Adults at Risk

Safeguarding is not only about children and young people.

Northampton Saints is committed to protecting adults at risk who may require care and support and may be unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Any concerns relating to adults at risk will be treated seriously and managed appropriately.

VIEW OUR SAFEGUARDING ADULTS AT RISK POLICY

How to Report a Concern

If there is an immediate risk of harm, call 999.

Otherwise, you can raise a safeguarding concern by:

• Contacting one of the Club's safeguarding leads (contact details below).
• Speaking to a steward or member of staff at Franklin’s Gardens.
• Using the Club’s online whistleblowing platform; MyVoice. Please provide as much detail as possible within your submission.
• Contacting us after an event if a concern arises later by emailing communications@northamptonsaints.co.uk.
• Alternatively, you can contact the RFU via their Speak Up policy HERE.

All concerns will be considered appropriately and shared only with those who need to know in order to safeguard individuals or investigate concerns.

VIEW OUR WHISTLEBLOWING POLICY

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Club Safeguarding Lead

Emily Goss
emilygoss@northamptonsaints.co.uk
+44 (0) 7483 078369

Saints and Foundation Head of Safeguarding 

Trudy Jones
trudy.jones@northamptonsaintsfoundation.org
+44 (0) 7518 836983

Academy Safeguarding Lead 

Max Dominy
maxdominy@northamptonsaints.co.uk
+44 (0) 7841 768065

Community Safeguarding Lead

Ben Lawrence
benlawrence@northamptonsaints.co.uk
+44 (0) 7772 297687

Matchday Safeguarding Lead 

Julia Wells
juliawells@northamptonsaints.co.uk
+44 (0) 7979 944237