A new Nuffield Family Justice Observatory report evaluates a pilot intervention — the Young People’s Participation Pathway — designed to give young people involved in care proceedings the opportunity to meet regularly with the judges making decisions about their futures. Traditionally, children’s voices are represented indirectly, which can leave them feeling excluded and uncertain. The pilot found that most participants valued the meetings, reporting increased confidence, reduced anxiety and a better understanding of the court process. Some young people described feeling more at ease and trusting that decisions were being made in their best interests after direct dialogue with judges. The pilot also showed that small, meaningful changes — such as adjustments to access to personal items — were made following meetings, and that involvement helped some young people accept difficult decisions even when outcomes didn’t match their preferences. Implementation challenges included mixed views from judges about role boundaries and a need for clearer involvement of guardians. The report recommends expanding opportunities for direct engagement to support procedural justice, young people’s wellbeing and clearer understanding of care proceedings.

This webinar examines parental advocacy and its potential to transform family experiences within children’s services and care proceedings. Drawing on Swansea University’s Realist Informed Evaluation of pilot advocacy services in England, the session explores what makes these services effective, how they support parent involvement in decisions, and their impact on outcomes. Attendees will hear directly from parents, advocates, and other stakeholders and gain insights for service development, evaluation, and improving parent-professional relationships.

Learn how to build and run a parent advocacy programme that supports families, empowers parents with lived experience and improves child welfare systems.

Watch this webinar on peer parental advocacy in child protection, exploring evidence on how advocacy supports parents’ engagement and outcomes in safeguarding processes.

This session introduces the Contextual Safeguarding approach developed by Dr Carlene Firmin, which challenges traditional child protection models that focus primarily on parenting capacity and home environments. Drawing on research from two local authorities, the session highlights how many risks to young people occur outside the family — in schools, peer groups, transport hubs and community spaces. It examines whether social workers have the capacity to assess and intervene not only with families but also with the wider contexts and relationships that shape young people’s lives. The session emphasises the need for a broader safeguarding network involving professionals and community members, including those working in public spaces, to create safer environments and more effective protection for young people facing extra-familial harm.

The ExChange Wales podcast brings researchers, practitioners and service users together to share evidence, insights and real care experiences shaping social care in Wales.