Northampton Saints Foundation has strengthened its commitment to protecting young people and vulnerable adults with the appointment of Trudy Jones as its new Head of Safeguarding.
The newly created role marks an important step in further embedding safeguarding across both the Foundation and its close partnership with Northampton Saints Rugby Club, ensuring the highest standards of care, protection and welfare are maintained across all programmes and activities.
Founded on the power of sport and the values of rugby, Northampton Saints Foundation traces its roots back to 1880, when Reverend Samuel Wathen Wigg established the Club as a way to positively channel the energy of local young people. More than 140 years later, the Foundation continues that legacy to inspire, support and educate thousands of people every year through programmes focused on education and inclusion, employability and skills, and health and wellbeing.
As Head of Safeguarding, Trudy brings a wealth of experience, she is joining us following being with Northamptonshire Children’s Trust for the last 10 years, where she held management roles across a range of services. With strong frontline and leadership experience in adolescent services, residential care, and edge of care support, she has a deep understanding of safeguarding legislation, risk management and partnership working. Trudy has acted as a senior decision maker on complex safeguarding concerns, supporting professionals to keep the voice of the child central to clear, evidence-based decisions and promote a consistent, trauma informed approach.
Alongside her safeguarding expertise, Trudy has played a key role in developing and strengthening services for children and families. She has led the design and implementation of new services, including the development and expansion of the Family Solutions Team and the Family Group Decision Making service, as well as contributing to planning, research, and securing funding to support growth. Passionate about inclusive, reflective and high quality practice, Trudy is committed to embedding a strong safeguarding culture across both Northampton Saints Foundation and the Club, creating safe and supportive environments where young people and adults at risk can thrive.
She will play a pivotal role in ensuring children, young people and adults at risk remain safe across all Foundation and Club environments. Acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, she will oversee safeguarding policies and procedures, provide expert guidance to staff and volunteers, lead on complex safeguarding concerns and help embed a strong, trauma-informed safeguarding culture across both organisations.
The role will also see Trudy work closely with Northampton Saints Rugby Club’s safeguarding team, supporting policy development, training, audit processes and high-level safeguarding concerns, helping ensure a consistent and joined-up approach across the wider Saints family. Safeguarding remains a core priority for the Foundation, with robust policies, staff training and partnerships with organisations including local safeguarding boards, the RFU and NSPCC already in place.
Upon joining Trudy said “I’m proud to be joining Northampton Saints Foundation at such an important time. Safeguarding is central to creating safe and inclusive environments, and I’m excited to work with the Foundation and the Club to deliver the highest standards of care across the Saints family”.
“We are delighted to welcome Trudy to Northampton Saints Foundation as our new Head of Safeguarding” shared Jordan Letts, Chief Executive Officer of Northampton Saints Foundation.
“The wellbeing and protection of every child, young person and adult we work with is at the heart of everything we do, and this appointment reflects our continued commitment to creating safe, supportive and inclusive environments across all of our programmes. Trudy brings a wealth of experience and expertise, and we are excited about the impact she will have across both the Foundation and Northampton Saints. Safeguarding is fundamental to ensuring participants, families, staff and partners can engage with confidence in safe, supportive environments where people can thrive”.
This appointment further reinforces Northampton Saints Foundation’s commitment to building brighter futures, ensuring the welfare of those it supports remains at the centre of everything it does.