www.nesta.org.uk/press-release/nesta-launches-evidence-informed-playbook-to-help-local-authorities-engage-parents-in-best-start-in-life-services/
A new free resource for local authorities to use in their efforts to increase take-up of parenting programmes - the Parent engagement playbook - has today been launched by Nesta, the research and innovation foundation.
The government has committed to raising the number of children reaching a good level of development at age five to 75% by 2028. Using evidence-based parenting programmes is a key way that local authorities can help to strengthen family systems and improve outcomes for children, but mainstream services often have challenges overcoming low awareness, low take-up, and high drop-out rates by participating parents. As a result, the families who might benefit the most from these programmes are often missing out: over 80% of parents report difficulty accessing these essential services, leaving families less well supported than they could be with their children’s early development. As of 2024, only 67.7% of five-year-olds reach a good level of development (GLD) in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) assessment, meaning over 194,000 children are not yet reaching this benchmark and may have difficulties accessing the school curriculum when they start in year 1.
The playbook gives practical, evidence-based guidance on ways local authorities can encourage more parents to find, start and complete parenting programmes, boosting progress in supporting children’s early development toward local authority GLD targets.
Louise Bazalgette, director of fairer start at Nesta, said: “Evidence clearly shows that parenting programmes can make a world of difference to helping parents support their children in key areas, such as their emotional, behavioural and language development. But too often, this support isn’t reaching the families and children who can benefit the most.
“We have completed a comprehensive review of the evidence to understand exactly why engagement fails and used this to build a practical digital resource. The playbook helps local authorities understand where families are getting stuck - from first hearing about a programme to actively taking part - and then choose tactics that reach them at the right time. We know that parents face a range of barriers at different stages, so the playbook aims to help local authorities consider how they can best meet the access needs of parents in their area.”
This launch follows Nesta’s targeted work supporting local authorities developing their Best Start in Life plans and the publication of a decision-making assistant to help local authorities in commissioning parenting programmes.
Notes to editors
About Nesta
Nesta is a research and innovation foundation that designs, tests and scales solutions for the biggest challenges of our time.
Driven by a vision to improve the lives of millions of people, our focus up to 2030 is on three missions: breaking the link between family background and life chances, halving obesity and cutting household carbon emissions.
We work with partners to develop high-potential solutions and test them as they evolve, drawing on expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, data science, behavioural science and design.
Once confident in the effectiveness of a solution, we take it to scale. We create national policy proposals, develop consumer-facing products and services, build and spin out commercial ventures and harness the power of the arts.
We work with two specialised units: BIT applies a deep understanding of human behaviour to help clients achieve their goals. Challenge Works designs and runs challenge prizes to spark innovation in science, technology and society. Find out more at nesta.org.uk
