The CSSA judges the Diocese of Menevia to be making ‘Early Progress’ in safeguarding people
26 September 2024
Menevia Diocese, in the first re-audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Authority (CSSA) as making ‘Early Progress.’ The safeguarding regulatory agency for England and Wales report that the Diocese demonstrates some progress since its baseline audit (in 2023) in working towards each of the eight national safeguarding standards, but there is much work still to do. The CSSA expects to see this progress under the newly constituted Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia.
Menevia was able to satisfy independent auditors from within the CSSA that, in terms of keeping people safe, good progress had been made in areas of previous deficiencies, specifically safer recruitment processes (DBS checks) and individual case work. A higher grading of ‘Firm Progress’ was reached in two standards. Auditors found significant strengthening of leadership and governance arrangements and better communication of safeguarding messages.
Crucially, auditors found that progress had been made in seeking the support and engagement of those who report harm. The Diocese had improved its understanding among clergy and volunteers about their safeguarding responsibilities.
The CSSA’s recommendations for Menevia include a review of how it oversees casework and ensuring that clergy are aware of timescales for reporting allegations. It must better record details of active volunteers across the Diocese, and review recruitment policies. The Diocese must develop more ways of learning from those who report harm, to inform their safeguarding practice. Longer term, Menevia must identify training needs of clergy and volunteers, and develop written guidance for incidents of allegations being made against clergy. It is recommended that a safeguarding implementation plan reflecting the findings of this audit is developed to ensure that expected changes are made as the two dioceses merge.
Steve Ashley, Chief Executive, CSSA, said: “Menevia’s first safeguarding audit, as part of our pilot process, failed to meet our safeguarding standards. This triggered a review into their practice. So, we are pleased to see that the Diocese has made progress since then in key areas. They have worked hard and positively to act on our initial recommendations, and we are starting to see better safeguarding because of it.
“There is clearly a lot of work to be done by the Diocese. Since our re-audit, The Holy See has confirmed that the Diocese of Menevia will merge with the Archdiocese of Cardiff. We are optimistic that with the extra resilience the merger should bring, to act on our further recommendations, the newly constituted Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia can continue to drive up the implementation of their safeguarding standards.”
In this re-audit, Menevia improved on its previous lower grading of ‘below basic’ (in a scale ranging from ‘below basic,’ ‘basic’ ‘early progress’ ‘firm progress’ results being achieved, comprehensive assurance and exemplary). Menevia have much work to do to achieve any of the four higher possible gradings. The overall grading of ‘early progress’ represents a combination of the Diocese’s scoring across eight areas of work relating to safeguarding standards.
The CSSA publish the Executive Summary of safeguarding audits from every Catholic Church body in England and Wales. You can find the Executive Summary of Menevia’s re-audit 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