Our safeguarding investigations and review service provides international and national federations with an independent investigation into safeguarding complaints, concerns and allegations.
All our investigations are conducted by expert members of Sport Resolutions' Panel. At the end of the process the Commissioning Body will receive a detailed report, recommendations and a dossier of evidence on which to base their decision making.
Our investigation service covers both international and national level. A typical investigation will involve:
- appointment of an independent investigator/reviewer
- undertaking of relevant conflict checks
- review of relevant documents
- support and guidance in defining the terms of reference of the investigation
- review of all evidence and information already gathered by the federation
- interviews with any complainants and witnesses
- interviews with the respondents
- drafting of signed witness statements
- drafting of a report setting out the investigator’s key findings and recommendations
Sport Resolutions has experience conducting international investigations in both English and French, in the areas of safeguarding (safe sport), emotional abuse, abuse of power, disciplinary matters, and discrimination.
How to commission Sport Resolutions to undertake an independent investigation?
Any sport governing body can commission Sport Resolutions to undertake an independent investigation. By commissioning Sport Resolutions to undertake an investigation or review, sport organisations can be assured of receiving an independent, professional and expert service.
The Comissioning Body is expected to provide background information setting out the nature of the complaints and concerns, a copy of relevant policies and contact details of the complainant, the individual complained against and any possible witnesses. The Commisioning Body is also responsible for acting on the findings and recommendations of the investigation.
If you would like to speak with us about a potential investigation please contact Sport Resolutions via the contact information on the right hand side of this page.
Some of the investigations and reviews completed by Sport Resolutions include:
- Independent Review into Child Sex Abuse Allegations in Football
- Union Cycliste Internationale Investigation into an ethics related matter of a sensitive nature
- European Rugby League Investigation into allegations of discrimination
- Sport England Review of Complaints Relating to Swim England
Investigation Guide & Templates
We are delighted to launch the new Investigation Guide and templates to National Governing Bodies (NGBs), National Safeguarding Panel (NSP) members and other relevant parties.
With the support of Sport England, Sport Resolutions NSP members Carol Chamberlain, Christopher Quinlan KC and Sally Wernick have created a practical guide to undertaking safeguarding investigations with supporting templates. This guide has been developed to assist NGB Lead Safeguarding Officers and their Case Management Teams and members of the National Safeguarding Panel in the conduct of safeguarding investigations that they undertake as part of their role.
This resource has been produced as part of the Sport England Safeguarding Case Management Project, which is supported by National Lottery funding, and provides participating NGBs with end-to-end case management support from Sport Resolutions staff and access to expert safeguarding support services from its NSP members.
The purpose of the Investigation Guide is to provide a comprehensive guide to undertaking safeguarding investigations and to provide consistency of practice amongst investigators. The Guide covers how to approach an investigation and sets out matters that will need to be considered, or completed, at each investigation stage. The aim of the Guide is also to assist to provide a fair and transparent process that will benefit victims and survivors and those who may be the subject of safeguarding concerns or allegations.
The templates comprise a collection of pro forma documents for use in any safeguarding investigation and are available for download in Microsoft Word format via the related documents tab on the right-hand side.
Profiles for Carol Chamberlain, Christopher Quinlan KC and Sally Wernick are available here.
Update: Thursday 22 July 2021
A minor addition was made to the safeguarding investigation guide on 22nd July 2021 at paragraph 67 on page 89. Updated version can be found under the related documents tab on the right hand side.
Safeguarding
Related Documents
- 2021 NSP Investigation GuidePDF Document
- Investigation PlanForm 1
- Investigation Case LogForm 2
- Witness Management StrategyForm 3
- Witness StatementForm 4
- Advanced Disclosure ScheduleForm 5
- Interview Plan (for Subject of Concern)Form 6
- Interview Schedule (for Subject of Concern)Form 7
- Exhibit ListForm 8
- Final ReportForm 9
Need help or assistance?
Should you require Sport Resolutions to conduct and manage an investigation, review or inquiry, or have any other enquiries, please get in touch.