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About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation. We apply our deep expertise in applied methods to design, test and scale solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time, working across the innovation lifecycle.

More about us

Improving support for parents

Improving support for parents

About this area of focus

We are helping to improve support for parents at many levels - from the services available to the programmes commissioned and the ways these programmes engage parents.

Nurturing and stimulating adult-child relationships are key for healthy child development and we want parents to be better supported to create a nurturing home environment for their children. Evidence shows that parenting programmes, which offer information and support to caregivers, can strengthen relationships and shift children’s outcomes. Many evidence-based programmes offering parental support already exist, but too often families who could benefit don’t have access to them, or feel stigmatised if they take them up.

That’s why we are working to improve the parenting support market, scaling programmes and testing the best ways to encourage more parents to take up the support on offer.

All areas of focus within A fairer start

Projects and case studies

Updates and case studies from our portfolio of projects and practical programmes

CBeebies parenting text messaging programme in Wales

Toolkits, research and explainers

Helpful guides and original analysis you can apply to your own work

Parenting support at scale: market analysis

Commentary and features

Expert opinion and thought-provoking editorial

How can the market of parenting support in the UK drive better child outcomes at scale?

Events and talks

Keynotes, panel discussions and podcasts to inform, inspire and provoke

Catch-up event: How can we achieve a step change in access to effective parenting support?

A powerful ecosystem for innovation

We extend our impact through two specialised units that help people and organisations to solve complex problems and achieve their goals.

BIT

BIT helps clients from government, nonprofits and the private sector to improve people’s lives through our empirical problem solving and deep understanding of human behaviour.

Challenge Works

Challenge Works designs and runs challenge prizes to spark innovation in science, technology and society.