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Background Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) is a neurosurgical procedure aimed at permanently reducing lower limb spasticity in children and young people with spastic cerebral palsy (CYPwCP). This study explored the goals parents hoped to achieve through SDR, their expectations of the outcomes, and their overall satisfaction following the procedure.Methods Parents of CYPwCP who underwent SDR at Great Ormond Street Hospital were invited to complete a survey. They identified 3-5 goals they had hoped to achieve for their child through SDR, selecting and ranking goals from a predefined list of 14 options or adding their own. Parents also reported whether their expectations were met and rated their overall satisfaction. Goals were categorised across all domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.Results Eighty-seven parents responded. Children had a mean age of 6 years and 6 months at the time of surgery (range: 2y 7m to 10y 2m), with 65 being male. Gross Motor Function Classification System levels were II (n=28) and III (n=59). A total of 402 goals were reported, most commonly: increased independence in daily activities (65, 74.7%), reduced leg stiffness (56, 64.4%), and improved ease of walking (54, 62.1%). Parents contributed 11 additional goals. Between 83-93 % of parents reported that their expectations were ‘mostly’ or ‘somewhat’ met. Overall, 95% expressed satisfaction with the outcomes, while 5% were neutral. Of all goals, 194 (48.2%) were related to ICF ‘body function and structure’, 150 (37.3%) to ‘activity’, 48 (11.9%) to ‘participation’ and 10 (2.5%) to ‘orthotics and equipment’.Conclusion Parents primarily hoped SDR would improve their child’s independence in daily life. Most goals focused on body function and structure, with fewer targeting participation. Further research into long-term parental perspectives may provide deeper insight into evolving expectations and the broader impact of SDR.Acknowledgements for Funding or Support DC is funded by the NIHR Doctoral Clinical Academic Research Fellowship (NIHR 302916) Health Education England (HEE)/NIHR for this research project. HG is funded by a National Institute for Health and Care Research Advanced Fellowship (NIHR 303636) Health Education England/National Institute for Health and Care Research. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR, NHS or the UK Department of Health and Social Care.