hin proceedings. 10 These reforms are currently being tested in pilot sites for Families First for Children, Family Network Support Packages and the Designated Family Judge Trailblazer pilot. 60 Since the relaunch of the PLO, we have seen increased pressure from the courts to meet all deadlines for all parties, increased scrutiny around the use of expert assessments and the test of whether these are necessary. There is beginning to be a change in how work completed in pre-proceedings is valued by the court, with a reduction in demand for repeat of assessments already completed. However, this is not consistent, and more work is needed in this area to avoid repetition and support us to reach the 26-week timescale. (Survey, Metropolitan, East Midlands Region) Other factors impacting on improving timeliness raised by respondents include complex international proceedings and reduced availability of independent experts, solicitors, Cafcass guardians and suitable placements. The issue of family members coming forward as potential kinship carers late in the process was noted, and judges not always adopting a consistent stance in terms of their willingness then to agree to assessments. We have found a detrimental change in the culture and approach of the court, Cafcass and solicitors… often having unrealistic expectations about the local authority’s ability to keep children safe in the community, with no understanding of, or willingness to consider, available resources. Overall, social workers report that they increasingly find court a hostile and combative environment; many cite the experience of attending court as the primary reason they want to leave frontline social work. (Survey, County, South West Region) Pre-birth work was a significant and growing area of safeguarding ac