Brighton & Hove Albion

Safeguarding at Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club

Within the Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club, including our Elite Performance Centre and our charitable Foundation, we are dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment for children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We recognise our moral and legal responsibility to protect those in our care, and we take this duty seriously.

Our mission has been to weave safeguarding into every aspect of our activities, ensuring the welfare and well-being of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults connected with the Club. Every decision, every action, and every event is rooted in the commitment to keeping everyone safe and supported.

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. Every adult involved in the Club plays a crucial role in protecting those children, young people and vulnerable adults. We acknowledge that we are in position of care and trust – and we honour that responsibility with the utmost respect and diligence.

Our Safeguarding Framework supports us to deliver an environment where safety, inclusivity, and respect thrive, enabling every individual to enjoy their experience in a safe and welcoming environment.

Safeguarding Framework

The Club implements a comprehensive framework to ensure the safety and welfare of children and young people. All employees of the Club have a responsibility to promote the safety and welfare of children and young people. However, there are specific roles and specified duties in relation to safeguarding which are set out below.

Safer Recruitment of People

An extensive Safer Recruitment is in place for all staff.

The Club recognises the importance of safer recruitment and has taken into account the government guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 and The FA’s Responsible Recruitment guidelines.

This process is in place to ensure there is a safer and responsible recruitment process for all individuals within the Club who come into contact with children and young people and applies to both paid and voluntary positions.

The Club has a duty to carry out due diligence that any third parties working with children or vulnerable adults on behalf of the Club, including but not limited to teachers, interpreters and mental health professionals will also have completed a Safer Recruitment Process.

The Club’s safer recruitment process includes:

Safeguarding at the American Express Elite Performance Centre

If you would like to make a complaint relating to the American Express Elite Performance Centre please follow the guidance in the attached Academy Complaints Policy.

How to raise a concern

Please use this form to report any Safeguarding or Wellbeing concerns you may have in relation to a young person or staff member at Brighton & Hove Albion FC

Safeguarding at the BHAFC Foundation

Safeguarding on a Matchday

Match day Safeguarding

The Club takes the Safeguarding of all fans attending the Amex seriously and encourages any concerns or worries about young people or adults at risk to be reported to the nearest steward where our matchday team can respond appropriately. Find out more here.

Fan Conduct

Supporters are reminded to report any anti-social behaviour they witness when at the stadium. Brighton & Hove Albion do not tolerate any forms of discriminatory behaviour including, Racist abuse, Homophobic abuse, Tragedy chanting, misogynistic & xenophobic language and Foul & abusive language. Any incidents should be reported to the Text Abuse line on 07880 196442. See it. Say it. Sorted.

Safeguarding Partner Reporting

‘If in doubt please report’ Reporting to the Club

Advice and Information

Whistleblowing & reporting anonymously

The Club recognises the risk of things going wrong or unknowingly harbouring poor practice and believes it has a duty to identify such situations and implement measures to mitigate such risks. As such, the Club encourages a culture of openness and one of prevention rather than simply cure.

If you feel there is a requirement to whistle blow, you should first consult your line manager. If the matter concerns your line manager, you should contact the next in line senior manager.

The full Whistleblowing Policy is available for staff under ‘Policy Centre’ on Core HR. If you are unable to raise concerns internally, please consult the NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline on 0800 028 0285.

The Academy and the BHAFC Foundation have formal complaints procedures which can be accessed via the Club’s and BHAFC Foundation’s websites.

NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline

0800 028 0285

Safeguarding Policy

The Safeguarding Policy sets out the Club’s commitment to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults, promoting safety, inclusion, and respect for all

Leadership & Responsibility

Defining the key roles and responsibilities within the Club’s leadership structure supporting the delivery of the Club’s Safeguarding Framework

Safeguarding Training

Our pledge that all colleagues receive Safeguarding training relevant to their roles to protect those in our care

Club Values and Code of Conduct

The expected behaviour for all individuals involved in the Club, promoting positive relationships free from bullying, discrimination, harassment or abuse

Safer Recruitment

Our ‘Safer Recruitment’ practices ensuring thorough background checks are in place for our colleagues and associates

Safe Sport Environment

Setting out the provisions for ensuring that training, match facilities, transport and travel are safe and secure, with adequate supervision and risk assessments

Welfare and Wellbeing

Promoting mental and emotional well-being by fostering a positive, inclusive, and supportive atmosphere for all

Reporting & Responding to Concerns

Providing clear and confidential reporting processes to raise safeguarding concerns or allegations of abuse which are swiftly and robustly addressed

Monitoring & Review

The continuous review of safeguarding policies and practices, ensuring they remain relevant, up to date and open to feedback and further development

This Safeguarding Framework is a living document that will be continually updated to reflect the evolving needs of the Club and best practices in safeguarding.

By embedding safeguarding into the heart of the Club's culture, we ensure that all individuals—whether children, young people, or vulnerable adults—can enjoy football in a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.

Please find the latest version of the safeguarding children and young people policy here.