
Assessments & audits
Turn principles into proof with a clear baseline and a credible path to improvement.
Online Responsibility Network helps organisations move beyond intent and into consistent, demonstrable practice. Our assessment approach benchmarks your maturity against a principle-based assurance framework, identifying what’s working, what’s missing, and what “good” looks like in your context.

What you get
A structured view of your current maturity
Prioritised recommendations and an improvement plan
Evidence you can share internally and externally
Optional independent audit routes to validate progress

Our approach
Online Responsibility Network assessments are built on a principle-based assurance framework designed to be practical, cross-sector and outcomes-focused.
1. Baseline assessment
A structured review of how your organisation currently manages online responsibility, mapped against relevant principles and controls. Designed to surface gaps, strengths and risk hotspots quickly.
2. Improvement plan
A clear set of recommendations, prioritised by impact and feasibility. This includes suggested owners, timelines, and evidence markers so progress can be tracked.
3. Ongoing re-assessment
Optional reassessments to show progress over time and demonstrate continuous improvement.
Independent audits

For organisations that need stronger validation, Online Responsibility Network can support pathways to independent auditing to help evidence progress and strengthen external confidence.
Independent audit routes are useful when you need to:
- demonstrate assurance to boards, partners or clients
- support regulatory readiness
- validate controls in higher-risk areas
- build credibility for trust signals and public commitments
Note: Online Responsibility Network does not provide operational trust and safety services. Assessments and audits are designed to help members understand, evidence and improve their approach through clear, principle-based assurance.
Who it’s for
This work is most valuable for organisations that need a practical, evidence-led view across teams, including:
- Platforms and digital services
- Brands and advertisers
- Agencies and adtech partners
- Marketplaces and communities
- Any organisation building trust as a commercial differentiator

How it works
1. Scoping call
Agree goals, scope, stakeholders and timelines.
2. Evidence gathering
Documentation review and structured interviews.
3. Assessment output
Maturity view, risks and recommendations.
4. Improvement planning
Align owners, actions and evidence markers.
5. Optional audit route
Independent validation where needed.
Typical timeline: 2–6 weeks depending on scope and availability.
What success looks like
A shared baseline that leadership and delivery teams recognise
Fewer surprises during regulatory, partner or client scrutiny
Practical improvements tied to measurable evidence
A clearer story you can tell about trust and safety — grounded in proof