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Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families
@foundationsww.bsky.social
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Generating and championing actionable evidence that improves services to support family relationships - foundations.org.uk.
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Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families @foundationsww.bsky.social · 5d
Today we’ve published new reports on what works to support children affected by #DomesticAbuse:

✔ Update on our 5-year #REACHplan to prevent domestic abuse
✔ Pilot RCT results for Bounce Back 4 Kids & WeMatter recovery programmes

Early findings: foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...

#VAWG
foundationsww.bsky.social
🗣️👇 Hear from our #REACHplan delivery partners @PACTFamily & @VictimSupport on our recently published pilot RCTs, and how these can help fill the evidence gap on support for children affected by #DomesticAbuse.

BB4K ➡️ foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...

WeMatter ➡️ foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...
November 25, 2025 at 12:28 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
Our Chief Exec @jocasebourne on value of evidence-based support for children affected by #DomesticAbuse, ahead of #VAWG strategy: "a critical opportunity to make a difference to children & families at risk of or affected by domestic abuse" 👇https://buff.ly/VMi0D4s #REACHplan
Evidence on domestic abuse matters for children and services - CYP Now
Foundations' chief Jo Casebourne sets out research findings on what support is effective in improving outcomes for families affected by domestic abuse - and how future studies will build on this.
www.cypnow.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
CALL FOR PROPOSALS 📄 Systematic review synthesising evidence on interventions to improve #EducationalOutcomes for children & young people with a #SocialWorker.

CLOSES: 12pm (noon) Friday 16 Jan 2026

Find out more: foundations.org.uk/opportunity/...
A Foundations branded static graphic. The copy says: Call for Proposals: Systematic review of interventions aimed at improving educational outcomes for children & young people with a social worker. Closes: Midday, Friday 16 January 2026. Find out more: foundations.org.uk/opportunities/funding
November 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
Our new REACH report reviews the latest evidence about how to prevent #DomesticAbuse and support child victims 🗣️⬇️

#REACHplan #VAWG

Find out more: foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...
A Foundations quote card featuring an image of Foundations' Chief Executive Dr Jo Casebourne. In the image on the grahic Jo has long chocolate-brown hair. She wears red lipstick in a shade that matches her blouse, which is worn under a dark blue blazer. She is smiling. The quote reads: “We’ve taken a big step forward for our five-year REACH plan to prevent domestic abuse and support child victims. Ahead of the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy, we commit to continuing to work with domestic abuse services to demonstrate their impact, helping to ensure that children and young people get evidence-based support at every stage, from early intervention to recovery."
November 21, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Reposted by Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families
ncb.org.uk
Foundations have just published two significant pieces of work aimed at strengthening the evidence base for children, young people and families experiencing domestic abuse:

You can read the full update and reports here: lnkd.in/e6ZxT5tg
foundationsww.bsky.social Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families @foundationsww.bsky.social · 5d
Today we’ve published new reports on what works to support children affected by #DomesticAbuse:

✔ Update on our 5-year #REACHplan to prevent domestic abuse
✔ Pilot RCT results for Bounce Back 4 Kids & WeMatter recovery programmes

Early findings: foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...

#VAWG
November 21, 2025 at 10:20 AM
foundationsww.bsky.social
WATCH ▶️👇 Our new REACH report highlights 3 key lessons for domestic abuse evaluations to ensure they're ethical & work for services and victim-survivors #REACHplan #DomesticAbuse

Find out more: foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...
November 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
foundationsww.bsky.social
On #WorldChildrensDay, and ahead of the much-anticipated #VAWG strategy, our new evidence on supporting child victims of #DomesticAbuse marks a big step forward.

Landmark #REACH trials mean we are now a step closer to finding what works for children experiencing #DomesticAbuse

buff.ly/ehrugxi
New research breakthrough in evidence on supporting child victims of domestic abuse | Social Work Today
Two landmark pilot trials suggest a turning point in efforts to build an evidence base for supporting child victims of domestic abuse, as researchers call for investment to ensure every family can…
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 3:50 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
Ahead of the Violence Against Women and Girls (#VAWG) strategy, Children & Families Minister Josh MacAlister has welcomed the latest evidence from our #REACHplan on what works to support child victims of #DomesticAbuse. Read the new report: foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...
A Foundations-branded quote card, with a honey background and large darker orange quotation marks. It features an image of the Minister for Children and Families Josh MacAlister MP. Josh is a light-skinned man with a wide smile, short medium-brown hair, brown eyes, and a short stubbly beard. He is wearing a white collared button-up shirt without a tie, and a blue suit jacket. Josh's quote reads: "Today marks a turning point for children affected by domestic abuse. For too long, we haven't had the evidence we need about what actually works to help these children recover and thrive. Domestic abuse can have a terrible impact on children, which is why what Foundations is announcing today matters so much. This is an important part of our ongoing evaluation of support services for child victims of domestic abuse, with early indications that these programmes are making a real difference"
November 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
New‼️Findings of our pilot trial of WeMatter, a digital, group-based support service for children 8–17 yrs affected by #DomesticAbuse, developed by @victimsupport.bsky.social. Findings indicate meaningful benefits for children. Next: a full-scale trial: foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...
A pilot randomised controlled trial of WeMatter What is WeMatter? WeMatter is an online group recovery programme, run by Victim Support, for children and young people aged 8 to 17 years old who have experienced domestic abuse. It is designed for children who are no longer at immediate risk and are not living with the perpetrator. What did we find? The pilot found encouraging preliminary evidence of positive impact for those that took part in WeMatter, particularly on children’s mental wellbeing. Participants, parents, and facilitators reported positive changes, including better understanding of healthy relationships, improved ability to manage emotions, and stronger feelings of support. About the study: We commissioned Verian to conduct a pilot randomised controlled trial. The study aimed to look at the effectiveness and suitability of the intervention, as well as whether it is possible to run a large scale trial that could tell us more about the programme’s impact.
November 20, 2025 at 11:45 AM
foundationsww.bsky.social
New report 📃 our pioneering pilot of Bounce Back 4 Kids, a trauma-informed recovery programme for children & parents affected by #DomesticAbuse, delivered by @pactcharity.bsky.social. Findings indicate meaningful benefits for children. Next: full-scale trial: foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...
A pilot randomised controlled trial of Bounce Back for Kids What is Bounce Back 4 kids? Bounce Back 4 Kids (BB4K) is a trauma- and therapeutically-informed programme developed by PACT that supports children aged 3 to 11 years old and their non-abusive parent in their recovery from the impact of domestic abuse. What did we find? The pilot found encouraging preliminary evidence of positive impact for those that took part in BB4K, particularly on parents’ confidence and children’s behaviour at home. Parents described the programme as a safe space, and peer support emerged as one of the most powerful aspects of the programme. About the study: We commissioned IFF Research to conduct a pilot randomised controlled trial of BB4K. The study aimed to test the effectiveness and suitability of the intervention, andwhether it is possible to run a large-scale trial that could tell us more about the programme’s impact.
November 20, 2025 at 11:30 AM
foundationsww.bsky.social
Today we’ve published new reports on what works to support children affected by #DomesticAbuse:

✔ Update on our 5-year #REACHplan to prevent domestic abuse
✔ Pilot RCT results for Bounce Back 4 Kids & WeMatter recovery programmes

Early findings: foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...

#VAWG
November 20, 2025 at 10:25 AM
foundationsww.bsky.social
Last week we announced the 9 local authority Partner Places we're working with to combine high quality evidence with local expertise & knowledge to ensure services meet the needs of children & families 🗣️⬇️ #EvidenceIntoPractice

foundations.org.uk/nine-local-c...
A Foundations branded quote card (teal with large oatmeal quotation marks) featuring a head and shoulders image of Emma Cockerell, Corporate Director of Children’s Services at Wokingham Borough Council. Emma is light-skinned with blue eyes. Emma has straight red hair tied back with a fringe. Emma's quote reads: "We hope that as a Partner Place we can help to grow best practice and an evidence base in working with seldom-heard communities, and in so doing support more inclusive practices and interventions. Our partnership with Foundations will allow us to focus much more on the interventions that will make the difference for children and families to ensure everyone has a chance to thrive." A Foundations branded quote card (light blue with large darker blue quotation marks) featuring a head and shoulders image of Charlotte Ramsden, Chief Executive at Bradford Children and Families Trust Charlotte has light-skinned and blue eyes. her shoulder-length curly golden-blonde hair is styed in a middle parting. Charlotte's quote reads: "Becoming a Partner Place offers us a unique opportunity to accelerate our journey toward innovation and excellence in children’s social care and early help, enabling us to co-design and test approaches that make a tangible difference. By grounding our transformation in robust evidence and lived experience, we aim to build a more responsive, strengths-based system that empowers families and practitioners alike." A Foundations branded quote card (honey with large darker orangee quotation marks) featuring a head and shoulders image of Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children's Services at Wiltshire Council. Jon is light-skinned with smiling blue eyes and silver-grey short straight hair, styled in a side parting. Jon's quote reads: "Wiltshire is proud to be selected as the southwest Partner Place for Evidence into Practice. Embedded within our wider response to the Department for Education’s social care reform agenda, Evidence into Practice offers the chance to implement and test the impact of specific interventions. This is a powerful opportunity to lead the way in embedding approaches based on sound evidence that make a real difference to children and families."
November 18, 2025 at 4:28 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
We're going to #ncasc25! 📢 Visit our stand to find out more about how we can work with you to put #EvidenceIntoPractice in your local area, and check out the Foundations Toolkit 🌟

📍Stand A24
November 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Reposted by Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families
nimaljude.bsky.social
It’s an honour to be leading this work.
I’m looking forward to joining local authorities across regions to exchange learning on how they’re embedding Practice Guides and Guidebook programmes, and bringing evidence-based system and service design to life in practice.
November 12, 2025 at 6:41 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
Finding what works is vital to improve outcomes for children. 💬 Martin Birch, Director of Children & Family Wellbeing at Cumberland Council & Foundations Trustee, on the 9 local authority Partner Places working with us to put #EvidenceIntoPractice 👇

Find out more: foundations.org.uk/nine-local-c...
A Foundations branded quote card featuring an image of Director of Children & Family Wellbeing at Cumberland Council and Foundations Trustee Martin Birch. There is a head and shoulders image of Martin which shows him smiling widely. He has medium brown neat short hair, dark eyes, light skin and a short brown-grey beard. Martin is wearing a dark blue tie, white shirt and a brown-grey blazer. His quote reads: "It is very exciting to see this Foundations partnering with local authorities to ensure robust evidence is embedded at the heart of children's services. As a DCS myself, I know how challenging it is to find what works and put it into action in delivery. Evidence into Practice gives each Partner Place the support they need to put evidence at the forefront of their decision-making.”
November 14, 2025 at 10:08 AM
foundationsww.bsky.social
Evidence-based decision making is shaped by knowledge of local populations, workforce & systems. As part of our Evidence into Practice offer we're working with 9 Partner Place local authorities of different sizes, geographies & Ofsted ratings 🗣️👇
A Foundations branded quote card (sky blue background with darker blue large quote marks) featuring a head and shoulders image of Laurence Mackie-Jones, Strategic Director, Social Care & Education at Leicester City Council. Laurence is light-skinned with a clean-shaven head, large square glasses and light stubble. Their quote reads: "Being part of Evidence into Practice gives us the structure, tools, and partnerships to accelerate our children’s services transformation, strengthening early help, improving consistency, and ensuring every decision is rooted in what works. Through this partnership, we will strengthen workforce capability, reinforce shared accountability across agencies, and deepen our culture of reflective, data-informed practice." A Foundations branded quote card (orange background with lighter honey-coloured large quote marks) featuring a head and shoulders image of Audrey Kingham, Executive Director of Children, Young People & Education at Northumberland County Council. Audrey is light-skinned with a shoulder-length white hair, they wear colourful glasses, pearl earrings and a pink and grey scarf. Their quote reads: "We are thrilled to become a Partner Place, working alongside Foundations to improve outcomes for children, young people and families through evidence-based practice and shared learning. This partnership will help us embed what works into our Children’s Social Care transformation journey, strengthening family support, and building a culture of continuous learning and collaboration across our local area and regionally." A Foundations branded quote card (darker blue background with lighter blue large quote marks) featuring a head and shoulders image of Jo Britton, Executive Director, Children’s Services & Public Health Service at Telford & Wrekin Council. Jo is light-skinned with a long thick wavy light-brown hair, they are wearing a khaki green blouse. Their quote reads: "Evidence-based decision-making is central to our approach. Being a Partner Place will help us integrate research into everyday practice, improve outcomes for children and families, and support our transformation journey. We’ve already seen the impact of using the Kinship Practice Guide to shape our local offer, and we’re excited to replicate this approach across other areas of service design."
November 13, 2025 at 1:59 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
ICYMI 🔔 Evidence is a key enabler in strengthening services to provide life-changing support for children & families 🌟 This week we announced the 9 Partner Places we will work with to embed evidence use in children's services: foundations.org.uk/press-releas...
foundationsww.bsky.social Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families @foundationsww.bsky.social · 13d
BIG NEWS 📢 We've announced the 9 local authorities we're working with across England to drive transformation of children’s services through evidence use.

foundations.org.uk/press-releas...

Find out more 👇▶️
November 13, 2025 at 9:48 AM
foundationsww.bsky.social
Nimal Jude (@nimaljude.bsky.social), Head of Practice Development at Foundations, explains why we're working with 9 Partner Place local authorities across England to embed evidence at the heart of commissioning & delivery of children's services: www.themj.co.uk/local-counci...
Nine local councils will support local authorities to improve outcomes for children
How evidence-based is your decision-making? When you're developing or commissioning services, what kind of evidence are you using and relying on most? And perhaps...
www.themj.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 2:06 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
BIG NEWS 📢 We've announced the 9 local authorities we're working with across England to drive transformation of children’s services through evidence use.

foundations.org.uk/press-releas...

Find out more 👇▶️
November 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM
foundationsww.bsky.social
Join the team 🙌 We're looking for someone to lead Foundations’ grant-making & programme delivery functions.

Closes: 11:59pm, 23 Nov 2025

Apply now: foundations.org.uk/about-us/joi...
A Foundations branded graphic with the copy: Join the Team Head fo Programmes (maternity cover) £69,700, plus generous benefits Closes: 11:59pm, 23 November 2025 foundations.org.uk/join-our-team It features an image of a smiling light-skinned person wearing round glasses. They have short grey/brown stubble on their face. They are reaching forward and sjaking someone's hand who is not featured in the image.
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
Our feasibility study found that Restart shows promise in providing early support to families experiencing #DomesticAbuse.

💬 @cordisbright.bsky.social's Kathryn Lord & @drivepartnership.bsky.social's Kyla Kirkpatrick's reflect on the programme's potential.

📄 foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...
Children so often experience domestic abuse long before it becomes visible to wider family, friends, or services; with crucial opportunities to respond earlier being missed, and the long-lasting impacts throughout life overlooked. Restart has been designed to address these gaps and ensure that families experiencing domestic abuse are identified and responded to earlier, and child and adult victim-survivors can remain safe and together. - Kyla Kirkpatrick, Director of the Drive Partnership "By collaborating with practitioners, survivors, and delivery partners, we’ve been able to identify the ways in which Restart is already working, where the challenges lie, and how to design evaluations that are robust, proportionate, and useful. The next step is to translate these insights into practical improvements; strengthening data, refining delivery, and co-designing evaluation approaches that are both meaningful and grounded in lived experience." - Dr Kathryn Lord, Principal Consultant, Cordis Bright
October 23, 2025 at 4:47 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
NEW REPORT 📢 We've published a feasibility study of the Restart programme, which aims to improve responses to perpetrators of #DomesticAbuse in families known to CSC.

✍️ Conducted by @cordisbright.bsky.social
🤝 Delivered by @drivepartnership.bsky.social

📄 foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...
October 23, 2025 at 1:26 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
WE'RE HIRING 💼 We're looking for people to join our Practice Development Team, working with local leaders to develop & deliver projects which increase the use of evidence in local services for children & families 🤝

Closes: 23:59, 9 November

Apply now: foundations.org.uk/about-us/joi...
A Foundations branded teal and oatmeal graphic that reads: We're hiring. Senior Practice Development Adviser (x1 FTC). Practice Development Officer (x2 FTC). Applications close: 23:59, Sunday 9 November. Find out more. foundations.org.uk/join-our-team
October 23, 2025 at 11:11 AM
foundationsww.bsky.social
Call for implementation partners 📢 We're seeking proposals from partners to lead the development, delivery & evaluation of a 'common elements' approach for parenting support.

Application deadline: 12pm (midday), Friday 5 Dec

Find out more & apply 👉 foundations.org.uk/opportunity/...
A Foundations branded orange and oatmeal graphic that reads: Call for implementation partners. Designing, delivering & evaluating a common elements approach to supporting parents in children's services. Application deadline: 12pm (midday), Friday 5 December 2025. Find out more. foundations.org.uk/opportunities/funding.
October 22, 2025 at 12:28 PM
foundationsww.bsky.social
This #KinshipCareWeek, we’re revisiting the Kinship Care Practice Guide, which translates evidence on what works into clear, actionable recommendations to improve how services for #KinshipFamilies are commissioned, designed & delivered 🌟

Read now 👉 foundations.org.uk/toolkit/prac...
October 8, 2025 at 5:28 PM