About Us
We are the national What Works Centre for Children and Families. Our vision is for children to have the foundational relationships that they need to thrive in life. Our mission is to generate and champion actionable evidence to improve services for families, because this is one of the best ways to strengthen the relationships that make such a difference to children. We focus on children who need targeted support to address family-level risks, children experiencing harm and abuse in the home and children in care and care leavers.
Our Strategy
We believe all children should have the foundational relationships they need to thrive in life. By researching and evaluating the effectiveness of family support services and interventions, we’re generating the actionable evidence needed to improve them, so more vulnerable children can live safely and happily at home and lead happier, healthier lives.
We know that we cannot achieve our aims alone. We collaborate with local and national partners, policymakers, service providers, and children and families to achieve greater impact and to bring about the change we want to see.
We know that we cannot achieve our aims alone. We collaborate with local and national partners, policymakers, service providers, and children and families to achieve greater impact and to bring about the change we want to see.
Our priority Areas
Our work is primarily focused across four areas where we have the best opportunity and potential to make an impact in improving the lives of children and families.
Our team
Experts by Experience Panel
equality, diversity, inclusion and equity
Our goal is to be a leader in all aspects of equality, diversity, inclusion, and equity (EDIE), and we actively encourage decision makers to implement policies, systems and practices which fully reflect the diversity of society.
We are committed to considering what can be learnt about racial disparity in every study we carry out. We will speak up for families who experience racial discrimination and use evidence about what works to call for change.
Evaluation partners
Our Evaluation Partners play a pivotal role in our work to build the evidence base around children and families, by designing and running independent evaluations of projects that are supported and funded by Foundations.