News

Opportunity to work with us
Closing date: 31 August 2026, 23:59 Role: Board Secretary and Religious Life Groups Coordinator (3 days per week) …
‘Communication, consistency, compassion’: Independent inspectorate calls for single model of support for survivors of abuse in the Catholic Church.
In its first thematic report of safeguarding across the Catholic Church in England and Wales, the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency…
Survivors’ Response to the CSSA Survivor Thematic Report
The Survivor Thematic report by the CSSA paints a picture of the Catholic Church in England and Wales lamentably failing…
The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on six religious life groups
In audits of their safeguarding practice today, six religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards…

Statement regarding Bishop David Oakley
We understand that today (Wednesday 24 June) Bishop David Oakley has been charged with two counts of rape of a…
Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham – Inspection Report Published
The Catholic body, the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, in the first independent inspection of safeguarding practice today,…
Do you have information to share about Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain?
Deadline: 03 July 2026 Our team is currently auditing safeguarding in Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain. To do this as…
The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on five religious life groups
In audits of their safeguarding practice today, five religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency…

Salford Diocese inspection report published
The Catholic Diocese of Salford, in the latest independent inspection of its safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the…
The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on three religious life groups
In audits of their safeguarding practice today, three religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency…
First CSSA overview of safeguarding in religious life groups published
The CSSA has today published an overview of its findings of safeguarding standards in religious life groups across England and…
Cardiff-Menevia Archdiocese inspection report published
The Catholic Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia, in the latest independent inspection of its safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the…

The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on five religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, five religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…
Southwark Archdiocese inspection report published
The Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark, in the latest independent inspection of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the…
Wrexham Diocese inspection report published
The Catholic Diocese of Wrexham, in the latest independent inspection of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the…
Statement from the CSSA Survivor Reference Panel on the Death of Brian Devlin
From Steve Ashley, CEO: Survivors whom we work with have asked to make the following statement about Brian Devlin. We…

The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on eight religious life groups
In an audit of their safeguarding practice today, eight religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards…
The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on two religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, two religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…
Support for victims and survivors of church-related abuse extended
The Church of England, The Church in Wales and The Catholic Church in England and Wales are pleased to confirm…
“I never recovered. But I refuse to be negative.”
Rebecca is a survivor of abuse in the Catholic Church. The following is her story, as told in her own…

CSSA Statement on appointment of Archbishop of Westminster
Today (19 Dec 2025) the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency acknowledges the appointment of Bishop Richard Moth as Archbishop of Westminster.…
CSSA confirms safeguarding judgements on five religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, five religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…
‘Satisfactory progress with more work to be done’: The CSSA publish results of their first safeguarding audit of Caldey Abbey.
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) today (10 December 2025) publish their first baseline audit of Caldey Abbey, with an…
CSSA confirms safeguarding judgements on six religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, six religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…

Final call for information for the CSSA’s inspection of survivor engagement
With one week to go before the public survey closes, the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency is encouraging anyone with information…
The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on five religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, five religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…
Independent safeguarding Inspectorate calls for public information about engagement with survivors of abuse in the Catholic Church
The independent Inspectorate for safeguarding in the Catholic Church today is asking again for information from the public about their…
The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on six religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, six religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…

The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on seven religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, seven religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…
The CSSA confirms two new independent Board members
The CSSA today (8 July 2025) confirms two new independent members joining their Board, both as non-executive directors. Ashiedu Joel…
The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on ten religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, ten religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…
“It has all broken my heart”: Ben’s story
At the CSSA, we have the privilege of working regularly with a small group of survivors. They help us…

The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on five religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, five religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…
The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on six religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, six religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…
CSSA statement regarding the election of Pope Leo XIV
Today (9 April 2025) the CSSA congratulates the Catholic Church – both in England and Wales, and worldwide – on…
CSSA statement regarding the death of Pope Francis
Today, 21 April, our thoughts are with Catholic communities both in England and Wales, and worldwide, as they mourn the…

The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on five religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, five religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…
“Emerging picture of compliance” CSSA publishes its first overview report of safeguarding across all Catholic dioceses.
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) today (Monday 24 March) confirms the completion of the first safeguarding audits of each…
Word from Mike Cunningham, independent Chair
During my first three months as independent Chair of the CSSA Board I have had opportunity to speak to survivors…
The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on seven religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, seven religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…

CSSA judges Hexham and Newcastle as ‘Results Being Achieved’ in safeguarding people
The Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, in its latest re-audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by…
A survivor speaks, introduced by new independent CSSA Chair
Introduction from CSSA independent Chair, Mike Cunningham I feel really pleased and honoured to have joined the CSSA as…
Completion of first diocesan baseline audit cycle
At the CSSA we have now completed our first safeguarding audits of dioceses across England and Wales. This is a…
CSSA Statement regarding Caldey Abbey
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) today (19 December 2024) confirm that it will carry out a review of current…

The CSSA judges Lancaster as ‘Results Being Achieved’ in safeguarding people
The Catholic Diocese of Lancaster, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic…
The CSSA judges Leeds as ‘Results Being Achieved’ in safeguarding people
The Catholic Diocese of Leeds, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic…
The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on four religious life groups
In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, four religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…
Safeguarding Audits of Religious Life Groups
Today (Thursday 5 December) is an important day for the CSSA, and an even more important day for religious life…

CSSA appoints new independent Chair
Statement confirming appointment of new independent Chair, Mike Cunningham CBE QPM The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) today (Tuesday…
‘Safeguarding Sunday’: A survivor speaks
This ‘Safeguarding Sunday’ please take a moment to really listen to the voice of survivors of abuse within the Church.…
The CSSA judges Brentwood as ‘Results Being Achieved’ in safeguarding people.
The Catholic Diocese of Brentwood, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic…
The CSSA judges Plymouth as ‘Results Being Achieved’ in safeguarding people
The Catholic Diocese of Plymouth, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic…

The CSSA judges Clifton as ‘Results Being Achieved’ in safeguarding people.
The Catholic Diocese of Clifton, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic…
The CSSA judges the Diocese of Menevia to be making ‘Early Progress’ in safeguarding people
Menevia Diocese, in the first re-audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Authority…
CSSA publishes interim review findings into Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle
The CSSA today (Tuesday 17 September) publish their interim review findings into safeguarding Leadership, Governance, Ministry and Culture in the…
A support service for survivors of church-related abuse has published its 2024 Evaluation report.
Safe Spaces, which launched in September 2020, is an independent advocacy and support service for victims and survivors of church-related…

Tenure of first CSSA Chair to end
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) today (5 September 2024) confirms that its current Chair, Nazir Afzal OBE, will stand…
The CSSA judges Westminster to be making ‘Firm Progress’ in safeguarding people in the Catholic Archdiocese
Westminster Archdiocese, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards…
Independent support service for survivors of church-related abuse appoints new Chair and trustee to the board
Safe Spaces, which launched in September 2020, is an independent advocacy and support service for victims and survivors of church-related…
The CSSA judges the Diocese of Nottingham as achieving ‘Comprehensive Assurance’ in safeguarding people.
Nottingham Diocese, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Authority…

The CSSA judges Catholic Syro-Malabar Eparchy to be making ‘Firm Progress’ in safeguarding people
The Catholic Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by…
The CSSA judges Shrewsbury as ‘Results Being Achieved’ in safeguarding people.
The Catholic Diocese of Shrewsbury, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic…
The CSSA judges Hallam as ‘Results Being Achieved’ in safeguarding people.
The Catholic Diocese of Hallam, in an audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding…
CSSA Review of Hexham and Newcastle Safeguarding 2024
One year after the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency’s (CSSA) unscheduled review of safeguarding in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle,…

The CSSA judges Portsmouth as ‘Results Being Achieved’ in safeguarding people.
The Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic…
Word from a survivor about CSSA audits
“My name is Rebecca, and I am a survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of a Catholic priest. I…
Reflections on the report on the abuse crisis from Durham University
We were pleased this week to have witnessed the release of ‘The Cross of the Moment’, a report by academics…
The CSSA judges Birmingham to be making ‘Firm Progress’ in safeguarding people in the Catholic Archdiocese
Birmingham Archdiocese, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency…

The CSSA judges the Diocese of Northampton as achieving ‘Comprehensive Assurance’ in safeguarding people.
Northampton Diocese, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Authority…
The CSSA judges Arundel & Brighton as ‘Results Being Achieved’ in safeguarding people.
The Catholic Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by…
CSSA work with religious life groups
I am so pleased to have recently joined the CSSA Board as Lead Religious for Safeguarding. I am strongly involved…
The CSSA judges Liverpool Archdiocese as ‘Results Being Achieved’ in safeguarding people.
Liverpool Archdiocese, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency…

The CSSA judges Wrexham to be making ‘Firm Progress’ in safeguarding people in the Catholic Diocese
Wrexham Diocese, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency…
The CSSA judges Middlesbrough to be making ‘Firm Progress’ in safeguarding people in the Catholic Diocese.
Middlesbrough Diocese, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency…
Board Changes
With gratitude and respect, the Board and staff at the CSSA have said a fond farewell to Sister Frances Orchard…
New online training resources for volunteers across Catholic church bodies
Today the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) release new online training for volunteers in Catholic communities across England and Wales.…

CSSA Safeguarding Review into the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) today (11 June 2023) publish their report into safeguarding in the Catholic Diocese of…
CSSA announce new Non-Executive Director
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) confirmed today (7 June 2023) that Sir David Behan has joined their Board as…