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Applications are invited for a fully-funded three-year PhD to commence in October 2025. 

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Business and Law, and will be supervised by Dr Kieran Walsh and Dr Shane McKinder. 

Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). Bursary recipients will also receive £2,000 for fieldwork purposes. 

Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.    

This research compares voluntary care arrangements under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989 in England and Section 76 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. It evaluates whether the Welsh requirement for local authorities to consider children’s rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) fosters more rights-based and transparent practices than in England. The study examines the interaction between legal frameworks, children’s rights, and the implementation of voluntary care arrangements to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

First, the research analyses the legal frameworks governing Section 20 and Section 76, focusing on statutory provisions, policies, and case law. It explores differences in child participation, parental consent, and safeguards against coercion, assessing their alignment with international standards, particularly the UNCRC.

Second, it evaluates the influence of the UNCRC on Welsh practices. Wales’ incorporation of the UNCRC through the Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011 and the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 mandates a rights-based approach. The research investigates whether this has resulted in less coercive, more cooperative, and equitable applications of Section 76 compared to Section 20 in England.

Third, the study examines the practical implementation of these frameworks by local authorities through a review of administrative data and stakeholder experiences, assessing whether they align with principles of cooperation and children’s rights.

Finally, the research synthesises legal and empirical findings to provide evidence-based recommendations for improving voluntary care arrangements. By highlighting strengths in the Welsh approach, it seeks to inform policy and practice in both jurisdictions, emphasising transparent decision-making, strong safeguards, and meaningful child participation to ensure voluntary care arrangements serve as supportive, non-coercive measures.

How to apply 

We’d encourage you to contact  Dr Kieran Walsh (kieran.walsh@port.ac.uk) or Dr Shane McKinder (shane.mckinder@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our . Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process. 

Please also include a research proposal of 1,000 words outlining the main features of your proposed research design – including how it meets the stated objectives, the challenges this project may present, and how the work will build on or challenge existing research in the above field.
 

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code LAW50350125 when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.