The CSSA judges Westminster to be making ‘Firm Progress’ in safeguarding people in the Catholic Archdiocese

3 September 2024

Westminster Archdiocese, 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 Archdiocese demonstrate clear evidence of working towards the eight national safeguarding standards. The Archdiocese satisfied independent auditors from within the CSSA about how it helps to keep people safe.

Westminster was strongest in areas relating to their response to survivors of abuse, safeguarding training, and their quality assurance and continuous improvement work. Auditors found evidence of good work to embed a culture of safeguarding within the Archdiocese. Safeguarding is promoted as everyone’s responsibility. Governance structures support leaders to oversee safeguarding. Firm progress was evidenced across another three of the eight safeguarding standards.

CSSA auditors identified scope for development around the management of allegations and concerns, and in support provided to the subjects of concerns. Early progress was seen in these two standards. The Archdiocese should ensure that all necessary notifications are made and actions taken within the required timescales. They also need to develop case recording practice.

The CSSA’s recommendations for Westminster include that they develop how they learn from survivors’ experiences to inform safeguarding practice. The Archdiocese should review standards and methods for the recording of casework and other areas of safeguarding activity. They should explore how to diversify communications about safeguarding and further develop processes for the vetting of volunteers, clergy, and employees.

Said Steve Ashley, Chief Executive of the CSSA: “These results show that Westminster should be satisfied with their work to help keep people safe in their churches and communities across the Catholic Archdiocese. Development is needed in some areas, and 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 sets high standards, for which we make no apology. Westminster is clearly of national significance in the Catholic Church. We have made no exceptions in how we have approached their audit. It is vital that the Archdiocese displays the same level of transparency as any other church body, and we acknowledge their rigour and ambition in safeguarding.”

Having exceeded potential lower gradings (in a scale ranging from ‘below basic’, ‘basic’ and ‘early progress’) Westminster 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 Archdiocese’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 Westminster’s audit on the pages 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