50 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Independent validation of Catholic audit programme

Recommendation

The Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service should have the effectiveness of its audit programme regularly validated by an independent organisation which is external to the Church. These independent reports should be published.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) Board committed by September 2021 to the independent verification of its audit processes and planned to undertake a formal process to appoint a suitable external body for this purpose. The CSSA also intended to formally launch safeguarding standards and work with Dioceses and Religious Life Groups (Govt response to IICSA’s Accountability and Reparations Report, 22 May 2023 update). As of May 2023, this work was reported as "In Progress".
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 24 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Section Reference
E
Response
Accepted
Accepted UK Government
22 May 2023

On 30 September 2021, the Catholic Council for the Inquiry stated that the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) Board is committed to the independent verification of its audit processes, and would undertake a formal process of appointment of a suitable external body. The Catholic Council for the Inquiry also stated that safeguarding standards would be formally launched, and the CSSA would work with Dioceses and Religious Life Groups to ensure that they are fully aware of what would constitute good practice in relation to each of the standards. In November 2021, the National Safeguarding Standards was published.

Read Full Response
Source
Inquiry IICSA
Report The Roman Catholic Church Investigation Report 10 Nov 2020
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service Primary
Themes & Tags
Weak Government Accountability & Scrutiny Roman Catholic Church Audit Independence
Recommendation age 5.4 yrs
Last formal update 1037 days ago