These protocols summarise plans for a full-scale randomised controlled trial of Bounce Back 4 Kids (BB4K), building on learnings from the pilot trial of the programme.
BB4K is a trauma and therapeutically informed group approach that simultaneously supports children (aged 3-11) and their non-perpetrating parents who have experienced domestic abuse. BB4K is delivered and developed by Parents and Children Together (PACT), an adoption charity and family support provider.
BB4K consists of either eight weekly sessions from children aged 6-11, or 12 weekly sessions for children aged 3-5, each lasting up to 90 minutes. Prior to starting, each family receives a home visit to prepare them for BB4k and to identify additional needs to ensure accessibility. While waiting for the group to begin, families can access BOUNCE, a digital platform offering age-appropriate tools and games, alongside support from a Triage and Assessment Officer. Whilst engaging with BB4K, parents and children are supported through trauma-informed activities and therapeutically informed techniques to express their feelings and experiences; learn they aren’t to blame and to understand the impact of trauma.
In 2025, we published findings from a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) of BB4K, conducted by IFF Research, which trialled methods that could inform the design of a full-scale impact evaluation. Findings showed promising results for improved parental self-efficacy, alongside moderate improvements in child behaviour. The pilot evaluation demonstrated the feasibility of delivering a full-scale trial. As a result, we have commissioned IFF Research to conduct a full-scale RCT, to tell us more about the impact of the programme.
The full-scale evaluation will include an impact evaluation on the effects of BB4K on improving parental self-efficacy and reducing children’s behavioural issues at home, an implementation and process evaluation to assess whether and how BB4K works as intended, and a cost evaluation.
The impact evaluation will address:
The implementation and process evaluation will address:
The cost evaluation will aim to understand the additional costs and the benefits of BB4K compared with not delivering it.
Rated 1: Set up and delivery is low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of less than £100.
Rated 2: Set up and delivery is medium-low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £100–£499.
Rated 3: Set up and delivery is medium cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £500–£999.
Rated 4: Set up and delivery is medium-high cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £1,000–£2,000.
Rating 5: Set up and delivery is high cost. Equivalent to an estimated unit cost of more than £2,000.
Set up and delivery cost is not applicable, not available, or has not been calculated.
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Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing child maltreatment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Enhancing school achievement & employment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing crime, violence and antisocial behaviour: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing substance abuse: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing risky sexual behaviour & teen pregnancy: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing obesity and promoting healthy physical development: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Rated 2: Has preliminary evidence of improving a child outcome from a quantitative impact study, but there is not yet evidence of causal impact.
Rated 2+: Meets the level 2 rating and the best available evidence is based on a study which is more rigorous than a level 2 standard but does not meet the level 3 standard.
Rated 3: Has evidence of a short-term positive impact from at least one rigorous study.
Rated 3+: Meets the level 3 rating and has evidence from other studies with a comparison group at level 2 or higher.
Rated 4: Has evidence of a long-term positive impact through at least two rigorous studies.
Rated 4+: Meets the level 4 rating and has at least a third study contributing to the Level 4 rating, with at least one of the studies conducted independently of the intervention provider.
Rating has a *: The evidence base includes mixed findings i.e., studies suggesting positive impact alongside studies, which on balance, indicate no effect or negative impact.
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