‘Wishes and feelings’: Misunderstandings and missed opportunities for participation in child protection proceedings

The gathering of ‘wishes and feelings’ in UK child protection proceedings (s.53 Children Act 2004) should highlight the child's opinion social work intervention services provided. However, with no statutory guidance on participation currently place, children frequently miss opportunities to be involved their own planning. This paper is drawn from a 3-year study into work. It includes findings qualitative interviews, one focus group, workers, parents, three local authorities United Kingdom. revealed some examples significant gaps service provision, particularly perspective understanding child. skewed translation wishes feelings legislation, along its subsequent (and often inadequate) application practice, prevents responding can lead idiosyncratic practice. provides recommendations for practical response practitioner dilemmas regarding bridges gap between research