“Emerging picture of compliance” CSSA publishes its first overview report of safeguarding across all Catholic dioceses.

24 March 2025

The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) today (Monday 24 March) confirms the completion of the first safeguarding audits of each of twenty-two dioceses in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Its overview report states that the “there is an emerging picture of compliance with the national safeguarding standards, nevertheless with much work to be done.”

This is the first time that Catholic church bodies have been independently inspected about how they keep people safe – and had those results published transparently on the CSSA website. The CSSA’s overview report, published today, goes on to identify key themes which dioceses are ‘encouraged to reflect on’.

Key areas featured in the report, taking evidence from all twenty-two dioceses, include how bishops most effectively lead by example in creating a healthy safeguarding culture, and how do leaders know that their diocese is a safe place to be.

Each diocese has had to evidence to independent analysts their work across eight nationally agreed safeguarding standards ranging from safeguarding leadership to care for survivors of church related abuse.

Said Paul Threlfall, Quality Assurance Manager:

“We hope it is reassuring to a degree that we are seeing an overall emerging picture of compliance with our expectations in terms of safeguarding standards. We thank all those working in the field for their commitment to transparency and for working with us positively.

“We hope that this report will help provide, for the first time, the independent evidence needed to enable dioceses to focus their work where it is needed most, and to sustain good standards where things are working effectively. The report draws together findings from across every diocese and helps identify patterns to support dioceses in their safeguarding work”.

Said Mike Cunningham, Chair, CSSA:

“At the CSSA we are here to hold a mirror to the Catholic Church, to help dioceses to identify what is working effectively in helping keep people safe, and what work still needs to be done.

“This report sets out what progress has been made and raises questions for bishops and leaders in dioceses, to help them prioritise and act where needed. Safeguarding responsibility ultimately sits with them, and we look forward to seeing evidence of further work as we continue to moniter our recommendations and return to re-audit in the future.

We want all Catholic Church bodies to succeed in safeguarding – our job is to hold them to account”.

The CSSA is currently continuing its baseline audits of religious life groups, and will return to dioceses in 2026 to inspect, with a focus on evidence of quality and continuous improvement.

The CSSA would like increase opportunities for survivors and members of the public to contribute their views. To contact the CSSA, please email: quality.assurance@catholicsafegaurding.org.uk

ENDS