Completion of first diocesan baseline audit cycle

20 December 2024

At the CSSA we have now completed our first safeguarding audits of dioceses across England and Wales.

This is a milestone – not only for us as an independent regulatory agency, but more importantly for the Catholic Church and a wider public.

Each of the 22 dioceses have evidenced their progress in meeting the eight national safeguarding standards. By taking part in the audits, they have also demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement. For the first time, dioceses have been accountable to the public as we have published their results.

This is, of course, a major step forward for the Catholic Church. But it is only the start of the story.

This first set of audits were called ‘baseline’ for a reason. Their purpose was to ensure that at the very least, structures are in place today to help keep people safe.  The audits are also to make recommendations for further safeguarding work.

The next stage – the re-audits – will start in Spring 2025. Our quality assurance team will go back to every diocese. They will monitor how the CSSA recommendations are being acted on, and the team will scrutinise further the depth and quality of each diocese’s safeguarding responses.

From 2025 we at the CSSA will continue to publish results – and we will make the full report (not just the executive summary) of every diocese available on our website. Survivors have suggested this to us, and we agree it is the right thing to do.

We have learnt a lot. There are lots of ways that we can further improve our processes, and we’re doing it at pace. It is particularly difficult when what we evidence about safeguarding today does not match a survivor’s past – or for many, present – experience.  We have heard how for many survivors, often the pain, or trauma, of past hurt is ever present. We are understanding that more and more, and we are grateful for the survivors who continue to work with us, even when this comes at a cost.

Safeguarding audits show the results of years’ worth of work by many people in each diocese. For safeguarding teams, the audit process can be challenging. But the audits are also an opportunity to demonstrate what work is being done. Leadership is vital – if leadership fails, safeguarding fails. Thank you to every diocese which has worked with us with positive intent.

In safeguarding, none of us can ever say the work is done – far from it. For a true step change in safeguarding culture, we must all accept that the job is never complete – because sadly, risk must always be managed. .

But as we reach this milestone together, we can be satisfied that safeguarding is stronger, with more work to be done. Driving further improvement is the only way forward, and we at the CSSA commit to upholding our responsibilities – not only with dioceses but with religious life groups and other Catholic bodies – in driving this improvement in 2025 and beyond. This work is stronger, and better, because of the influence of survivors. My sincere thanks.

Paul Threlfall

Quality Assurance Manager