Southwark Archdiocese inspection report published

23 March 2026

The Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark, in the latest independent inspection of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) as ‘Exceeding Expectations.’ This is the fifth out of seven possible grades, seven being the highest.

The independent inspectorate for England and Wales report that the Archdiocese demonstrate clear evidence of working towards the eight national safeguarding standards. The Archdiocese was able to satisfy independent analysts from within the CSSA about how it keeps people safe.

Southwark was particularly strong in the standard relating to survivor engagement. Analysts identified a culture of safeguarding underpinned by clear governance, with a culture that promotes shared responsibility for safeguarding.

There is more work needed particularly around quality assurance and continuous improvement. The Archdiocese should improve how they show their quality assurance work in a consistent way.

The CSSA’s recommendations for Southwark include:

• Within three months: plan how to quality assure the response to survivors as part of routine casework.
• Within six months: establish how many volunteers require a DBS check and report how many already do.
• With 12 months: arrange trauma-informed practice training for the archbishop and others.

Steve Ashley, CEO, CSSA said: “These results show that Southwark is exceeding the standards expected. This shows good progress from their first safeguarding (baseline) audit, and the archdiocese should be pleased. There is no room for complacency, however. They must keep improving to achieve two of the higher possible grades. Only this way can they assure a wider public that everything possible is being done to help prevent harm. We will keep monitoring.

The CSSA publish the full reports of safeguarding inspections from every Catholic Church diocese and religious life group in England and Wales.

You can find Southwark’s results  HERE

ENDS

More information about the CSSA’s inspection process can be found  HERE.

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

Southwark is the first archdiocese to be published under the CSSA’s revised grades system which places greater emphasis on the quality of safeguarding practice, leadership, and continuous improvement. For more information, please contact qualityassurance@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk