The learning and development programme led by NCB will be extended, with continued funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.
Over the last decade, the A Better Start (ABS) programme has led innovation in the early years sector in England. Funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, has enabled partnerships in Lambeth, Blackpool, Nottingham, Bradford, and Southend to generate significant skills and evidence on what works for improving the lives of babies, young children, and families.
Embedding this learning in policy and practice has been a key objective in the ambitious learning and development work led by the National Children’s Bureau (NCB), on behalf of A Better Start.
We are delighted that this work has been extended, marking a new chapter in its journey, and promising to build on its successes and impact.
The story so far…
The ABS sites have become invaluable sources of specialist knowledge, not only in terms of outcomes for children but also in effective systems change and workforce development. This programme has been unprecedented in its scale and ambition. The test and learn approach has allowed all the five partnerships to pilot, implement, and scale programmes and services during a challenging period for public funding. Their approach has enabled the identification of what works - and what does not - for babies, young children, and families.
As the programme has matured, there has been a strong focus on evaluating the support and services it has provided, both in local evaluations and in the national evaluation currently being conducted by NatCen.
This learning has already been used to influence policy, practice, and systems, with further opportunities to influence the Government’s Best Start in Life mission if harnessed correctly. It is also helping inform The National Lottery Community Fund’s 2023-30 strategy, which has a strong focus on babies and families.
Knowledge synthesis, practice guidance, and communicating our findings
The extended contract will allow a comprehensive approach to knowledge curation after local partnerships transition from their A Better Start grant.
For learning to be effectively translated into policy, practice, and systems change, action needs to continue to distil key findings and disseminate these across the sector to policymakers, practitioners, and commissioners.
To support the effective sharing of information and knowledge, NCB will analyse learning under the following cross-cutting themes:
- Outcomes for Babies, Young Children, and Families: Refining universal and targeted services to improve child health and development.
- Engaging with Families and Parents/Carers: Meeting the needs of local communities by listening to the voices of parents and using evidence about what works.
- Workforce Strengthening and Development: Building a knowledgeable and confident workforce that connects effectively with families.
- Places and Spaces: Creating accessible spaces that encourage family engagement with services and activities.
- Systems Change: Modelling a different way of providing services and supports through partnership working.
Working with key stakeholders, this evidence will then be synthesised into evidence reports, practice guidance and impactful communications.
Introducing Claire Dunne
As the programme moves forward, Claire Dunne has been appointed as the new contract manager for this work at NCB. Claire brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to early years development. She also understands the A Better Start model through her previous role as Evaluation and Research Manager at the Lambeth Early Action Partnership (LEAP).
Claire's role will involve coordinating the synthesis of evidence across all sites, ensuring that the programme’s findings have a broad impact. This will include consultations with specialists across the sector to understand how learning and evidence can be translated into policy, practice, and communications.
Looking Ahead
The contract extension for the A Better Start Learning and Evidence Programme is a significant milestone. It provides an opportunity to build on the successes of the past decade and ensure that the wealth of evidence generated by the Five A Better Start partnerships can inform future policy, practice, and systems change.
With a strong staff team at NCB, the programme is well-positioned to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of babies, young children, and families, leaving a lasting legacy for A Better Start.