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National Safeguarding Reviews (UK)

National

Safeguarding Reviews for National Governing Bodies

Sport Resolutions provides independent safeguarding reviews to help national governing bodies examine their policies, procedures, and practices. Our reviews ensure compliance with safeguarding obligations, regulatory requirements, and best practice, while providing an objective assessment that identifies strengths, gaps, and recommendations for improvement in safeguarding systems and culture.

What Our Safeguarding Reviews Include

Our safeguarding review service offers:

  • Appointment of a suitably experienced safeguarding expert (legal or specialist) from our panel to lead the review;
  • Support in setting clear and proportionate Terms of Reference;
  • Acting as the independent secretariat to the review, ensuring the process is conducted efficiently, on time, within budget, and independently from the commissioning organisation;
  • Administrative support for the reviewer, including arranging interviews and meetings with relevant stakeholders.

By commissioning Sport Resolutions, national governing bodies can be confident they are receiving an independent, professional, and expert review, aligned with good governance principles, safeguarding standards, and regulatory expectations.

Areas Covered in a Safeguarding Review

Depending on the nature of the review, areas may include:

  • Policies and compliance oversight
  • Allegations made against leadership or board members
  • Handling of safeguarding complaints and concerns
  • Risk management and reporting
  • Organisational culture and learning

Our Panel and Support

Sport Resolutions maintains a specialist panel with expertise across safeguarding, regulation, and the sport sector. Individuals appointed to a review are selected based on the specific experience and knowledge required for the task.

We provide independent administrative support to the appointed reviewer(s), which may include:

  • Contacting contributors and collating background documentation
  • Managing confidentiality and consents
  • Arranging interviews and sourcing transcripts
  • Providing interpreters where necessary

Review Planning and Oversight

The Terms of Reference are agreed at the outset to define the contractual arrangements and scope of the review. A review plan may also be drafted and approved by the commissioning body, with regular updates provided throughout the process.

Examples of completed reviews:

  • Independent Review into Child Sex Abuse Allegations in Football
  • UK Athletics Independent Safeguarding Review
  • Sport England Review of Three Cases of Complaints Relating to Swim England

Should you require Sport Resolutions to conduct and manage a review, please contact us: resolve@sportresolutions.com

Please scroll down for our FAQ section.

National Services

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FAQ

Enquiries
What is the difference between an investigation and a review?

Generally speaking, an investigation is a fact-finding exercise as to whether there is evidence to support allegation(s), and that in light of the evidence gathered, it is more likely that the conduct took place, or not.

On the other hand, a review often deals with historical allegations, and whether or not those individual(s) or organisation(s) to whom those allegations were made properly investigated and took action at the time they were raised.

When should a national governing body commission an independent review?

An independent review may be appropriate where there are concerns about how a matter was handled, where lessons need to be learned, or where confidence in governance or decision-making has been affected. Reviews are often commissioned following complaints, internal concerns, or external scrutiny, even where no formal investigation is required.

Who conducts the review?

Reviews are led by suitably experienced and independent individuals appointed from Sport Resolutions’ panel. Reviewers are selected based on the subject matter, the governance context, and the skills and experience required to assess the relevant processes or decisions.

How independent is the review from the commissioning organisation?

The reviewer acts independently of the commissioning organisation. Sport Resolutions undertakes conflict checks and ensures the review is conducted in accordance with agreed Terms of Reference, without influence over findings or recommendations.

What is the role of Sport Resolutions during a review?

Sport Resolutions provides independent administrative and secretariat support, helping to manage the process efficiently and consistently. This may include coordinating interviews, collating documentation, and managing communications, while the reviewer retains responsibility for the analysis, findings, and recommendations.

What does a review typically involve?

A review may involve consideration of relevant policies, documents, correspondence, and decision-making records, as well as interviews with key stakeholders. The precise scope and methodology are determined by the agreed Terms of Reference.

How long does a review usually take?

Timescales depend on the scope and complexity of the review.

Will individuals involved be given an opportunity to contribute?

Yes. Reviews are conducted in a fair and proportionate manner. Individuals may be invited to provide information, context, or reflections relevant to the processes or decisions under review.

What is the outcome of a review?

The outcome is typically a written report setting out findings and recommendations. Reviews often focus on identifying learning points, areas for improvement, and practical steps to strengthen governance, policies, or procedures.

Does a review make disciplinary findings or impose sanctions?

No. Reviews do not usually determine culpability or impose sanctions. If issues emerge that may require further action, the commissioning organisation remains responsible for deciding next steps, which may include commissioning a separate investigation.

In the news

View all Safeguarding in Sport news
  1. Gymnastics Ethics Foundation sets new safeguarding standards to protect athletes from abuse and harassment
  2. Three former US snowboarders have filed a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by ex-coach Peter Foley
  3. SEMINAR | Safeguarding and Leadership (In-person & Online)    
  4. Job Opportunity | Case Manager - Safeguarding
  5. Canadian Olympic Committee pledges millions into safe sport initiatives following recent safeguarding scandals
  6. Larry Nassar victims to file $1billion lawsuit against FBI
  7. Chelsea settle historical racial abuse case brought by four former youth players
  8. University of Michigan agrees $490million sexual abuse settlement
  9. FIFA opens investigation into allegations of sexual abuse in Gabonese football
  10. Nassar victims to receive $380m settlement from USA Gymnastics
  11. Athletics coach Rana Reider to be investigated over sexual misconduct claims
  12. Football Australia sets up Independent Complaint Process following abuse allegations
  13. WEBINAR | Safeguarding in Sport: Considering Subject Access Requests
  14. Simone Biles to testify before Senate for investigation into Larry Nassar
  15. ONLINE TRAINING SESSION | How to Investigate Safeguarding Concerns in Sport
  16. UK Athletics launches new safeguarding procedures
  17. IOC establishes International Safeguarding Officer in Sport Certificate
  18. FIFA extends ban for Haitian football federation president and widens sexual abuse investigation
  19. Former gymnastics coach receives jail sentence for lying to police in Larry Nassar abuse case
  20. The summary and findings of the UKA Safeguarding Review have been published by UK Athletics
  21. SEMINAR | How to Investigate Safeguarding Concerns in Sport
  22. Head of French ice-skating refuses to stand down amidst an investigation into rape claims
  23. USA Gymnastics offers $215 million to Larry Nassar abuse victims
  24. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an exceptional candidate to lead the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU).
  25. Sport Resolutions to launch the Safeguarding Case Management Pilot Service
  26. FIFA launches new safeguarding initiative - FIFA Guardians
  27. Afghanistan Women’s Football sexual abuse scandal ignites campaign to stop exploitation of females
  28. Former football coach Bob Higgins guilty of 45 charges of indecent assault
  29. Sexual misconduct ban lifted on Taekwondo coach Jean Lopez
  30. Afghanistan’s Women’s Football team sexual abuse scandal

Investigations & Reviews in Sport

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