The Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) has published its three-year strategy, setting out its priorities for the years ahead.

As we have discussed previously (here), CIISA was established in 2022 with the support of industry bodies  to “uphold and improve standards of behaviour across the creative industries and to prevent and tackle all forms of bullying and harassment, including bullying and harassment of a discriminatory nature”.

Since then, CIISA has published its ‘Standards’ which set out the minimum standards of behaviour expected across the creative industries (discussed here). It has also recently been formally recognised as a ‘prescribed person’ for the purposes of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 and the Employment Rights Act 1996, meaning that individuals in the film, television, music and theatre sectors may benefit from statutory whistleblowing protections when reporting concerns to CIISA, even where they have signed NDAs (discussed here).

In its three-year strategy, CIISA sets out what we can expect to happen next. First on the horizon is the rollout of its Independent Reporting Service, which will “provide individuals and organisations with a confidential, accessible place to raise concerns”. In time, ‘Early Intervention Services’ such as mediation and arbitration services will also be introduced, as will CIISA’s Independent Investigations service. All the while, CIISA will collect data and begin to publish “sector-specific and thematic insight reports”.

CIISA also intends to engage beyond the sectors currently within its remit, including games and publishing, where it believes it may be able to offer support in the future. It will also establish ‘Stakeholder Industry Forums’ and a ‘User Engagement Panel’ so as to provide “regular, structured opportunities for dialogue, challenge and collaboration that will shape [its] work and hold it accountable for progress”.

Finally, a topic that has much been discussed by CIISA and its supporters is funding. As we have commented on previously, CIISA moved from a levy model to one based on registration, leading to calls (discussed here) for the Government to introduce a “reserve power on funding to give CIISA the sustainable funding model it needs, in line with other industry-backed bodies”. Whilst the Government has not adopted that recommendation, CIISA’s strategy document sets out how – by working with industry on its ‘Register with CIISA’ scheme and exploring opportunities for collaboration and partnerships – it intends to secure sustainable funding for the years ahead.

To read the Strategy in full, click here.