A Core Participant is a person, organisation or entity that has a specific interest in the work of the Inquiry. They must consent to being a Core Participant.
Core Participants are entitled to receive disclosure of documentation, make opening and closing statements, and suggest lines of questioning that they consider should be asked of a witness.
More information on Core Participants can be found here.
Individuals, organisations or entities who wish to be designated a Core Participant will need to apply to the Chair, setting out their reasons for doing so.
More information on how to make an application for Core Participant status can be found here.
No, it is not necessary to be a Core Participant to engage meaningfully with the Inquiry. Personal accounts and experiences shared by those who are not Core Participants are of no less value in the eyes of the Inquiry, than those provided by persons who are Core Participants. Being a Core Participant does not mean that a person’s evidence is any more important or given any greater weight.
Individuals, organisations and entities who are not Core Participants may be able to provide evidence to the Inquiry by way of documents or other material. They may also act as a witness to the Inquiry and claim expenses for attending as a witness, as well as an award for legal representation (if the relevant criteria are met). They may watch or attend public hearings (unless the Chair decides to hear evidence in private), read transcripts of hearings, witness statements and other documents that are published by the Inquiry.
Members of the Inquiry team cannot provide advice to individuals or organisations on whether they should or should not apply to be a Core Participant. They can, however, explain the process in greater detail and provide practical assistance to those who may need help with the process of completing an application.
Individuals, organisations and entities who are not granted Core Participant status may be able to provide evidence to the Inquiry by way of documents or other material. They may also act as a witness to the Inquiry and claim expenses for attending as a witness, as well as an award for legal representation (if the relevant criteria are met).
An initial window for those wishing to submit applications for Core Participant status opened on 22 April 2024 and closed on 20 May 2024. Although this has now passed, applications can be made at any time during the course of the Inquiry and will be considered by the Chair. In doing so, however, she may take into account additional factors (including the reason for any delay and the potential impact on the effective running of the Inquiry) in deciding whether to grant an application.
A witness is someone who has information relevant to the Inquiry, which the Inquiry proposes to take either orally or in the form of written evidence. This could be because they witnessed an event, or because they hold records that are considered relevant – such as videos, or other forms of documentation.
A witness may have the opportunity to ask questions in certain limited circumstances but will not generally take an active part in the Inquiry, like a Core Participant.
A Core Participant, in contrast, will be able to make opening and closing statements and suggest lines of questioning that should be put to a witness. They may also receive disclosure of documentation before it becomes public.
Importantly, an individual or organisation can be both a Core Participant and a witness.
The Inquiry strives to be accessible to all and it is not necessary to have legal representation to engage with the Inquiry, or provide evidence, whether you are a Core Participant or a witness.
If you would like to obtain independent legal representation, you may wish to find a solicitor through the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor service.
Core Participants’ legal costs may be funded by the Inquiry.
Please see our FAQs on funding under ‘General FAQs’ for more information.
The Inquiry intends to publish a List of Core Participants and any material which may be considered relevant to the Terms of Reference on its website.
However, if you wish to apply to be a Core Participant and to give evidence without your employer finding out, you can apply for a Restriction Order, to do so anonymously. Whether you are able to provide evidence anonymously will be a matter for the Chair. However, as Baroness Lampard set out in her Statement of Approach, accessible here, where Trust employees have relevant information she will take necessary steps to facilitate the sharing of that information with the Inquiry, including where appropriate protecting the identity of the information provider.
Applications for Core Participant status from individuals who work for any of the relevant trusts will be considered separately to any application that is made by their employer.
Individuals who are granted Core Participant status will not automatically be represented by the same legal firm or team who is representing their employer. As is explained in the Inquiry’s Protocol on Core Participants, the Chair will consider whether your interests in the outcome of the Inquiry are similar, whether the facts that you are likely to rely on are similar, and whether it is fair and proper for you to be represented by the same legal team. Please see here for more information.
Ensuring the wellbeing of people participating in the Inquiry is extremely important to the Chair and Inquiry team. The Inquiry offers independent emotional support, provided by the British Red Cross, to those affected by the work of the Inquiry. This is a confidential service and is independent of the Inquiry.
Please contact the Inquiry team if you would like to access this offer and we will discuss next steps with you.
Contact details for other support organisations can be found on our website, here.
