CSSA Safeguarding Review into the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle

11 June 2023

The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) today (11 June 2023) publish their report into safeguarding in the Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. The independent regulatory body carried out their Safeguarding Review as commissioned by the Apostolic Administrator, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, after concerns were raised since the resignation of Bishop Byrne in December 2022.

The 57-page report is in two parts. The first, an audit of safeguarding practice today, found the current work of the present safeguarding team meets the agency’s minimum requirements. The Diocese was found to be making ‘Early Progress’ overall, with ‘Firm progress’ in some criteria. However, CSSA found serious failures of leadership, which has undermined the work of the safeguarding team and left people at potential risk. These failures, outlined in Part Two, include poor decision-making, inappropriate associations, and ignoring professional safeguarding advice.

In the report, CSSA makes 12 recommendations for the Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle on issues ranging from volunteers’ safeguarding practice to whistleblowing policy. There are a further ten national recommendations for safeguarding in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, including escalation processes for safeguarding issues and prioritising the safety of children and vulnerable adults at risk over reputational issues.

Said Steve Ashley, Chief Executive Officer, CSSA: “Our first priority was to assess the work of the safeguarding team today, to see if anyone could be at risk. Although the safeguarding professionals’ work today meets our minimum standards, we found serious failures of leadership which had undermined safeguarding practice and left people at potential risk. Ultimately, a failure of leadership means a failure of safeguarding. We are encouraged by the openness of Archbishop McMahon, and the full co-operation of the current team. We will trust, we will support, and we will regulate, how they now turn things around.”

Added Nazir Afzal, OBE, Chair of CSSA: “Our findings show that the actions of a few individuals have undermined the safeguarding work of many. There will be people in the local community today hard hit by our report. Protecting people in the future means telling difficult truths today.

“We thank those who told us about their personal experiences, which was an act of considerable courage. We thank the bravery of whistleblowers. We thank the integrity of those in the Diocese today who worked with us openly. Most importantly, we thank the families of those impacted, and survivors of church-related abuse generally, for their trust in us to do our work. Our door remains open. We look towards a better safeguarding future for the Diocese and the Catholic Church in England and Wales.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
Any survivor, or those affected by CSSA’s report, can contact Safe Spaces England and Wales
Anyone with further information can contact the CSSA team in confidence: https://forms.office.com/e/pHLnT00Zix /qualityassurance@catholicsafegaurding.org.uk
Journalists can contact: sarah.gleadall@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk / Mobile 07950 726 731