Centre for Children and Families

Our work contributes to public understanding of key issues for children and families including early years and parenting, education and mental health.

NatCen’s Centre for Children and Families undertakes some of the most exciting and influential applied social research in the UK.

Our aim is to make a significant contribution to public understanding of key contemporary issues for children and families including early years and parenting, children's social care, education and mental health, family justice including early intervention and youth offending, against a backdrop of significant challenges for children and young people.

In addition to being experts in their fields, researchers in the team bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in a range of research methods, including survey design, data analysis, qualitative, area-based and participatory approaches. Working with specialists in our Centre for Evaluation, we have a particularly strong track record of delivering high quality impact evaluations including both Randomised Control Trials and quasi-experimental approaches.

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Our team

The Centre for Children and Families brings together colleagues with expertise in social research and policymaking, building on NatCen’s track record of world-class research in this field. The Centre for Children and Families is shaping the debate on modern childhood, working with policy makers to identify evidence-based interventions that improve children’s and young people’s life chances