A research team at the University of the West of England  (‘UWE’) have been conducting some research into the pre-proceedings protocols introduced by HHJ De Haas QC in Cheshire & Merseyside in July 2012 and by HHJ Wildblood QC in July 2013.

The Team reported to the President of the Family Division in March 2014 and wrote a short article for Family Law which was published in July 2015. The research included talking with professional stakeholders and analysing raw HMCTS data and Children’s Services’ files.

The Team would like to update their material generally and would be very interested to talk to any parents or young people who have experience of, or views about, the pre-proceedings protocol in care proceedings.

If you would like to talk about your experiences, please contact Emma Whewell <[email protected]>  who can give you more information, including information sheets and consent forms if you wish to be part of the research.