The CSSA confirms safeguarding audit judgements on four religious life groups

5 December 2024

In the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, four religious life groups have been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) to be graded as follows:

Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (Liverpool):  Met

Franciscan Friars of the Renewal: Comprehensive Assurance

Infant Jesus Sisters: Met

Society of the Catholic Apostolate – Pallottine Fathers Mother of Divine Love Province (also known as the Irish Province): Firm Progress

The regulatory agency for England and Wales report that these religious life groups demonstrate clear evidence of working towards the eight national safeguarding standards. They were individually able to satisfy independent auditors from within the CSSA about how they help keep people safe.

Steve Ashley, Chief Executive Officer, CSSA says: “These results, in our first baseline audits of religious life groups, show that these specific church bodies are achieving the standards expected and exceeding in some areas. Although unconnected, they should each be satisfied with their progress in helping keep people safe in their churches and communities.

Each one must keep improving. Only this way can they assure a wider public that everything possible is being done to help prevent harm.

CSSA safeguarding audits for larger religious life groups range on a scale from ‘below basic,’ ‘basic’ ‘early progress’ ‘firm progress’ ‘comprehensive assurance’ and ‘exemplary’. For smaller religious life groups grades are ‘not met’, ‘met with recommendations’ and ‘met’. In each case, their overall grading represents a combination of their scoring across eight areas of work relating to safeguarding standards.

The CSSA publish the safeguarding audits from every Catholic Church body in England and Wales. You can find the audits for religious life groups HERE

ENDS

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

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