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Research


Our research allows us to influence public policy and understand the crucial issues facing vulnerable children and young people in the UK.


pdfSafe and secure: final data collection report
Child outcomes-focussed data from researchers looking at what works in our work with children who have been sexually abused.

pdfDeprivation and risk: the case for early intervention
Research about the direct impact of deprivation on the lives of children and their families and the importance of intervening as early as we can.

pdfThe social and economic value of short breaks
Research commissioned by Action for Children and the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign. You can find our recommendations in our briefing on the social and economic value of short breaks.

pdfSafe and secure network: Summary findings
The summary findings of Canterbury Christ Church University's multi-component evaluation of the work of the ‘Safe and Secure’ child sexual abuse network, commissioned by Action for Children

pdf A meta-review of interventions to support children and their families in the aftermath of child sexual abuse
This meta-review gives an overview of the results of research reviews that have evaluated and summarised the effectiveness of interventions offered to children and families affected by sexual abuse. It forms one part of an evaluation being conducted by Canterbury Christ Church University in partnership with a UK network of Action for Children projects which focus on child sexual abuse.

pdf Child Sexual Abuse in the Eastern Caribbean
The report of a study carried out across the Eastern Caribbean from October 2008 to June 2009

pdf  Kidulthood: life as a pre-teen in the UK today
  Kidulthood: life as a pre-teen in the UK today" by Sonia Sodha as part of the DEMOS Capabilities Programme which focuses on the skills and traits people need to lead a fulfilled and autonomous life and how families, communities and schools can support children and young people in developing them.

illustration of pdfNeglect Intervention project
Information on Action for Children's Neglect Intervention project and associated four-year research evaluation.

illustration of pdfNeglect: research evidence to inform practice
New research into child neglect from Action for Children consultancy services

illustration of pdf

Backing the Future: why investing in children is good for us all (2009)
This research report from nef (the new economics foundation) provides the economic and social case for transforming the way we invest in the future of society through our children. Find out more here.

illustration of pdfHolding the Space research overview presentation
An evaluation by Canterbury Christ Church University of Action for Children's network of projects to support children and families who have experienced sexual abuse


illustration of pdfHolding the Space presentation - outcomes to date
Issues in the measurement of outcomes in evaluating interventions for families recovering from child sexual abuse


illustration of pdfSafe and Secure project presentation by Canterbury Christchurch University (2009)
Presentation by researchers looking at what works in sexual abuse treatment in Action for Children's (CSA) child sexual abuse projects, with a focus on the ethical issues associated with this study.

illustration of pdfEvaluation of Action for Children's Renfrewshire Primary Support project (2009)
Research by the Criminal Justice Social Work Development Centre for Scotland and University of Edinburgh looking at the outcomes of intervention by the Action for Children Renfrewshire Primary Support project.

illustration of pdfExternal evaluation of Norfolk children's centres (2009)
RMRA and the University of East Anglia found that children’s centres managed by Action for Children provide well-targeted and appropriate support to children and their families.

illustration of pdfEvaluation of Action for Children's Pinnacle project (2009) 
The University of Salford undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the first two years of the working of the Pinnacle project.

illustration of pdfChance for Change evaluation (2009)
The executive summary of an evaluation of our Chance for Change service which is targeted at 7- to 11-year-olds who are experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties.

illustration of pdfSummary: Moving into maturity: An evaluative review of the Action for Children Multi-disciplinary Intervention Service Torfaen programme (2009)
A review of our 'wraparound' therapeutic project established in 2004. Read the full report.

illustration of pdfSummary: Evaluating the delivery by Action for Children of targeted family support (2009)
Research by Synergy Research & Consulting that evaluates our targeted family support services. Read the full report.

illustration of pdfStuck in the middle: the importance of supporting six to 13 year olds (2008)
Our report examines the importance of supporting vulnerable children and young people between the ages of six to 13.
You can also download a Welsh language version of this report.

illustration of pdfHear Our Voice! Young People's Views of Policy Priorities for The Scottish Parliament (2008), Young Scot
This report outlines the main conclusions of the Hear our voice! survey, which focused on what young people consider should be the key policy priorities for the Scottish Parliament. The survey was run by Young Scot and Action for Children Scotland in partnership with Dundee City Council, East Ayrshire Council, Highland Council and Kathleen Marshall, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People.

illustration of pdf'As long as it takes- a new politics for children' (2008)
Our report examines 21 years of policy affecting vulnerable children and young people in the UK.

illustration of pdfGrowing Strong - Attitudes to building resilience in the early years (2008)
This report, prepared for us by Brand Democracy, investigates what we already know and have learnt about building resilience in early years and uses this to explore the attitudes of parents to the issue of their children's emotional wellbeing. Based on the learning from focus groups run in London, Manchester and Liverpool, the report makes a number of policy recommendations that apply to central and local government, service providers, media and parents.

illustration of pdfGet happy: children and young people’s emotional wellbeing (2007)
This report, prepared for us by researchers from the Institute of Public Policy Research (ippr), is the first in a number of research projects we have commissioned around the theme of emotional wellbeing. The research demonstrates the link between emotional wellbeing and social mobility, noting the growing significance of emotional wellbeing in determining life chances and the need to address these issues through proven services.

illustration of pdfLiterature review: The Emotional Harm and Wellbeing of Children (2007)
This reviews looks at what emotional wellbeing is and the implications for the provision of services to improve outcomes for children and young people.

illustration of pdfLiterature review: Resilience in Children in Young People (2007)
This reviews looks at what resilience is and the implications for the provision of services to improve outcomes for children and young people.

illustration of pdfGoing hungry: the struggle to eat healthily on a low income (2004)
Our research report analysing children's diets.

illustration of pdf'School let me down': overcoming barriers to educational achievement (2003)
A survey of young people using our services about their experiences of education.

illustration of pdf'The end of my tether' (2003)
Our study identifying a lack of support for families struggling to cope with teenagers. It includes interviews with parents, young people and staff.

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