Crew Connection Ltd & Crew Connection Inc:

Joint Safeguarding Policy Statement

Our commitment

Crew Connection Ltd (registered in the United Kingdom) and Crew Connection Inc (registered in the United States), together “Crew Connection”  are jointly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, exploitation, grooming, bullying (including online), harassment, and poor practice. We believe every athlete has the right to enjoy sport in a safe, respectful, inclusive environment.

We operate in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Our safeguarding principles are the same wherever we work, but the laws, authorities, and emergency contacts differ between countries. Where contacts or reporting routes are country-specific, use the section for your country below.

Who this applies to

This policy applies to all mentoring, consulting, coaching, recruiting support, and any other service or action delivered by Crew Connection consultants, where an athlete or young person is involved, including when a parent/guardian is the primary contact. This includes:

  • Remote coaching sessions and training support

  • Recruiting and college advisory services

  • In-person camps, events, and training support

  • All digital communication (email, messaging apps, video calls, etc.)

Professional standards for all staff/consultants

All Crew Connection staff and consultants must follow professional standards, including:

  • Appropriate boundaries at all times (no over-familiar or sexualised behaviour)

  • No direct messaging via personal social media (Instagram/TikTok/Snapchat etc.)

  • Transparent communication: for under-18s, we use approved channels and will include a parent/guardian in group communication. Any communication without a parent/guardian included is only with parental/guardian approval.

  • Two-consultant standard (group chats): any group chat used for consulting or mentoring includes at least two Crew Connection consultants.

  • In-person standard: any in-person activity takes place in a public/observable venue and is delivered either (a) with two Crew Connection representatives present, or (b) with a parent/guardian present.

  • Vetting: all staff/consultants working with under-18s are appropriately vetted. In the UK this includes enhanced DBS checks. In the US this includes a criminal background check and U.S. Center for SafeSport (“SafeSport Trained”) certification to the standard expected of USRowing member organisations.

  • Safety-first coaching: no unsafe training demands; wellbeing comes before performance.

Online sessions and session records

Some online sessions may be recorded or documented for quality and safeguarding purposes, with prior notice. Access is restricted and records are stored securely.

How to raise a concern

If something feels wrong, even if you’re unsure, please report it. We will take you seriously and respond in a supportive, trauma-informed way.

Safeguarding contact (confidential inbox): crewcnnct@gmail.com (monitored by the Safeguarding Lead and Deputy)

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSO): Sholto Carnegie

  • Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Jack Gosden Kaye

If you are in the UK

If you are in the US

  • If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

  • U.S. Center for SafeSport, the central body for reporting abuse and misconduct in U.S. Olympic, Paralympic, and collegiate sport: report online (uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern) or call 833-587-7233 (833-5US-SAFE).

  • Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 (24/7).

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (mental-health crisis): call or text 988.

  • Suspected child abuse or neglect should be reported to the relevant state child-protection agency. (For example, in Connecticut: the DCF Careline, 1-800-842-2288, 24/7.) Under the federal Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act (“Safe Sport Act”), suspected child sexual abuse must also be reported to law enforcement within 24 hours.

U.S. college coach / recruiting interactions

Some athletes will interact with U.S. university coaches during recruiting. These coaches are not Crew Connection employees, and their conduct is outside our supervision and safeguarding remit. If a concern relates to a U.S. coach or program:

  • Report to the university’s Title IX Office/Coordinator (see the institution’s Title IX webpage).

  • If anyone is in immediate danger in the U.S., call 911.

  • Where applicable, reports may also be made to the U.S. Center for SafeSport (online or 833-587-7233).

Crew Connection can help families identify the correct reporting contact for a specific institution.