The CSSA judges Wrexham to be making ‘Firm Progress’ in safeguarding people in the Catholic Diocese
14 December 2023
Wrexham Diocese, in the first audit of their safeguarding practice today, has been judged by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) to be making ‘firm progress’. The safeguarding regulatory agency for England and Wales report that the Diocese demonstrate clear evidence of working towards the eight national safeguarding standards. The Diocese was able to satisfy independent auditors from within the CSSA about how it helps keep people safe.
Wrexham was strongest in areas concerning human resource management and training and support for safeguarding. Auditors found good progress was being made across all eight safeguarding standards and that trustees provide strategic direction of safeguarding operational activity. Significantly, the Diocese demonstrated a consistent approach to anyone who comes forward to report harm.
The CSSA auditors identified further scope for development. These areas include: the distribution of a victim charter, formalising procedures for new and overseas members of clergy, and to develop a communications plan explicitly around disseminating safeguarding messages.
The CSSA’s recommendations for Wrexham include that they communicate contingency arrangements for safeguarding cover; that they develop procedures in how to engage and learn from those who report being harmed; and continued consideration for removal of celebret for clergy who do not attend safeguarding training.
Says Steve Ashley, Chief Executive of the CSSA: “These results show that Wrexham should be satisfied with its work to help keep people safe in their churches and communities across the Catholic Diocese. They must keep improving. Only this way can they assure a wider public that everything possible is being done to help prevent harm. We are satisfied that Wrexham have shown Firm Progress so far.
“The CSSA set high standards, for which we make no apology. Wrexham are doing good work. The fact that they engaged so openly with their audit process tells us a lot about their approach to people’s safety. We acknowledge their hard work and commitment to safeguarding and we look forward to monitoring their progress to come.”
Having exceeded potential lower gradings (in a scale ranging from ‘below basic,’ ‘basic’ and ‘early progress’) Wrexham have further work to do to achieve any of the three higher gradings possible (namely ‘Results Being Achieved,’ Comprehensive Assurance’ and ‘Exemplary’). The overall grading of ‘Firm 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 Wrexham’s audit here
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
More information about the CSSA’s audit process can be found here.
Journalists: to speak with Steve Ashley, CEO, or Nazir Afzal, OBE, Chair, please initially contact Sarah Gleadall: sarah.gleadall@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk