The CSSA judges Middlesbrough to be making ‘Firm Progress’ in safeguarding people in the Catholic Diocese.

7 December 2023

Middlesbrough Diocese, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA), to be making ‘firm progress’. The safeguarding regulatory agency for England and Wales report that the Diocese demonstrate clear evidence of working towards the eight national safeguarding standards. The Diocese was able to satisfy independent auditors from within the CSSA about how it helps to keep people safe.

Middlesbrough were strongest in areas concerning: their response to survivors of abuse; their management of subjects of allegation; and human resource processing. Significantly, auditors found evidence that senior leaders modelled a long-standing commitment to safeguarding.

The CSSA auditors identified further scope for development in their communications around safeguarding messages, and their processes for capturing learning.

The CSSA’s recommendations for Middlesbrough include: that their trustees assure themselves about both legacy and current DBS processes; that a comprehensive plan for safeguarding training should be developed; and to develop systems for securing feedback from stakeholders – including survivors of abuse.

Says Steve Ashley, Chief Executive of the CSSA: “These results show that Middlesbrough should be satisfied with its work to help keep people safe in their churches and communities across the Catholic Diocese. They must keep improving. Only this way can they assure a wider public that everything possible is being done to help prevent harm. We are satisfied that they have shown Firm Progress so far.

“The CSSA set high standards, for which we make no apology. Middlesbrough are definitely on the right track. The fact that they engaged so positively with their audit process tells us a lot about their approach to people’s safety. We acknowledge their hard work and commitment to safeguarding and we look forward to monitoring their progress to come.”

Having exceeded potential lower gradings (in a scale ranging from ‘below basic’, ‘basic’ and ‘early progress’) Middlesbrough have further work to do to achieve any of the three higher gradings possible (namely ‘Results Being Achieved,’ Comprehensive Assurance’ and ‘Exemplary’). The overall grading of ‘Firm Progress’ represents a combination of the Diocese’s scoring across eight areas of work relating to safeguarding standards.

The CSSA publish the Executive Summary of safeguarding audits from every Catholic Church body in England and Wales. You can find the Executive Summary of Middlesbrough’s audit here

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

More information about the CSSA’s audit process can be found here.

Journalists: to speak with Steve Ashley, CEO, or Nazir Afzal, OBE, Chair, please initially contact Sarah Gleadall: sarah.gleadall@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk