This study presents findings from interviews with senior staff in 21 local authorities. The study did not include interviews with frontline social workers; members of the judiciary, Cafcass guardians or children, young people and families and their views and experiences are not represented in this report.

Within these limitations, the findings provide a rich picture of how the PLO is being implemented from the local authority perspective. It shows that local authorities have embraced the changes in practice required to comply with the PLO and have made substantial progress in reducing the time taken to complete proceedings, with many completing within or slightly over the 26 week timeframe.