Arrange independent assurance
Councils who would like to assure a self-assessment can initially book independent assurance through MHCLG.
We are inviting councils who would like to assure a self-assessment to email CAFassurance@localdigital.gov.uk. In your email, tell us if you would like to assure your organisational or a critical system self-assessment.
To support councils to get started with the CAF for local government, MHCLG has funding to provide a limited amount of independent assurance in the financial year ending 2026.
Assurance will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is availability, a member of the assurance team will contact you to arrange an introduction.
When to request assurance
You should engage with an independent assurer before you begin the CAF for local government to make a plan for your assurance review.
Find out about the independent assurance process.
About the independent assurers
Assurance is provided by Bridewell (formerly Arculus) who are assured under the NCSC assurance scheme. They are under contract with MHCLG through the Cyber Security Service 3 agreement, which includes rigorous data protection requirements.
Bridewell have been through MHCLG cyber onboarding, which includes validating Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO27001 and ISO9001 certifications.