The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency ‘CSSA’ is the national agency for driving improvements in safeguarding practice within the Church in England and Wales. The Church has a Council to assist the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger.
It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased.
If you are in any role within the Catholic Church in England and Wales, you must refer allegations directly to the safeguarding office for your diocese or religious congregation, or directly to the Police.
If you are a member of the public, please refer allegations directly to the police and also to the safeguarding office in your diocese. The relevant Diocesan safeguarding office can be located using the map on the CSSA website. You can also contact CSSA by telephoning 020 7901 1920 or by email to: admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales accepted the Recommendations of the IICSA Report in November 2020. This response shows how the Catholic Church is addressing the seven recommendations. You can download the response document – a Recommendations Action Plan – below and you can also read an introductory cover letter from the Chair of the Catholic Council for IICSA, Baroness Nuala O’Loan.
On 30 September 2021, the Catholic Council for IICSA released additional updates in response to IICSA’s recommendations.
For all the reports and responses from the Church to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) visit our dedicated section.
In October 2019, the Bishops commissioned an independent review of the Catholic Church’s Safeguarding Structures and Arrangements in England and Wales.
Ian Elliott was the Independent Chair of the Review. Published on 20 November 2020, the final report and recommendations, therefore, are sometimes referred to as the ‘Elliott Report’. Mr Elliott is an experienced safeguarding professional who has worked across the world in this area.
Read the report and its recommendations.
The Project Implementation Team has pledged to disseminate a newsletter every two weeks giving an overview of the work undertaken since the Implementation Plan was adopted.
26 May 2021
The impetus of the Catholic Safeguarding Project continues after the announcement of the independent CSSA Board Chair and Non-Executive Directors. The pace of change will be more measured as we move to the next phase in the development of the structures. The Board does not underestimate the work to be done and the challenges to be faced, and will take the time required in a considered manner.
For older news updates and more on implementation, visit our Implementation page.
The Catholic Church in England and Wales welcomed the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). Its reports will now inform the ongoing reform and improvement of safeguarding in all aspects of the Church’s life. Read the reports and responses here.
Safe Spaces is a joint Anglican and Catholic Church in England and Wales project to provide a vital support service for survivors of church-related abuse. Details and more here.
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency ‘CSSA’ has been established to develop the highest calibre regime of safeguarding within the Catholic Church in England and Wales. More.
If you're concerned about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult, this page provides the steps you can take to report the matter to the relevant authorities.
In October 2019, the Bishops commissioned an independent review of the Catholic Church's Safeguarding Structures and Arrangements in England and Wales.
The Catholic Safeguarding Project has been established to ensure the delivery of wide-ranging reforms to safeguarding structures and processes in the Church in England and Wales.
The Catholic Church in England and Wales welcomed the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). Its reports will now inform the ongoing reform and improvement of safeguarding in all aspects of the Church’s life.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has published its final report. The Catholic Council welcomes this report, thanks the Inquiry for its work and will carefully study its contents and recommendations.
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency ‘CSSA’ has been established to develop the highest calibre regime of safeguarding within the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Safe Spaces is a joint project of the Church of England and Catholic Church in England and Wales to provide a vital support service for survivors of church-related abuse.
'Listening with Love' is a resource inviting people to reflect on the impact of abuse on individuals and the Church.
Contact details for the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinators from all the Dioceses of England and Wales.
The Day of Prayer for the Victims and Survivors of Abuse is an important initiative that was proposed by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. The Holy Father welcomed the proposal and asked that each Bishops’ Conference choose an appropriate date to mark the day.
