Diocese of Middlesbrough
Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA)
Safeguarding Baseline Audit September 2023
Bishop Terry and his trustees were pleased to welcome auditors from the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) to undertake a Baseline Audit and assessment of Safeguarding within the diocese in September this year.
This involved the compilation of a detailed self-assessment document and completion of anonymous questionnaires in advance of the audit week. During the audit week interviews were conducted, focus groups were held and supporting evidence was audited to assess how the diocese was progressing against the eight safeguarding standards and other mandatory standards.
The audit report grades the Diocese of Middlesbrough as “having demonstrated Firm Progress toward meeting the safeguarding standards” and auditors reported they “found evidence of a long-standing commitment to safeguarding, that is promoted and modelled by senior leaders”.
Gradings against each standard…
Standard 1: Safeguarding is embedded in the Church body’s leadership, governance, ministry and culture Firm Progress
Standard 2: Communicating the Church’s safeguarding message Early Progress
Standard 3: Engaging with and caring for those who report having been harmed Results Being Achieved
Standard 4: Effective management of allegations and concerns Firm Progress
Standard 5: Management and support of subjects of allegations and concerns (respondents) Results Being Achieved
Standard 6: Robust human resource management Results Being Achieved
Standard 7: Training and Support for Safeguarding Firm Progress
Standard 8: Quality assurance and continuous improvement Firm Progress
The audit report also included recommended short-, medium- and longer-term actions to assist the diocese, with a view to further building on progress against the safeguarding standards.
Bishop Terry and his trustees welcome the audit report and recognise that while effective progress has been made, there is still further work to be done in relation to fully meeting the safeguarding standards, and they view the CSSA Baseline Audit Report as being invaluable in this journey.