Evaluation
Better Start Bradford is an evidence-led programme, developed according to research into what works when it comes to supporting expectant families and families with children aged 0-3.
Each of our projects was selected based on existing evidence on their effectiveness, or because they could help improve our understanding of what works.
A key part of our programme has been to undertake continuous and thorough evaluation of the impact our projects have had. This will help deliver lasting benefit not only for families in the Better Start Bradford area but also to share lessons more widely.
Our local evaluation partner is the Better Start Bradford Innovation Hub – a partnership between Better Start Bradford and Born in Bradford. It brings together leading researchers from the Universities of York, Bradford, Leeds and Leeds Beckett, to provide a centre for evaluation of the programme and find out what works.
Their research covers six key themes involved in improving children’s outcomes, ranging from educational wellbeing to mental wellbeing and beyond. They have been conducting research on who has accessed the interventions, whether they work, and if the interventions are good ‘value for money’.
Born in Bradford's Better Start (BiBBS)
One of the key ways the Better Start Bradford Innovation Hub has been assessing the impact of Better Start Bradford projects is through the Born in Bradford's Better Start (BiBBS) study. Thought to be the world’s first ‘experimental’ birth cohort study, they have been recruiting mums and their babies and partners in the Better Start Bradford area since the start of the programme.
By linking data that is routinely collected about these families as their children grow, the Innovation Hub will consider how Better Start Bradford has influenced their development, health and wellbeing.
National evaluation
The evaluation and learning for the national A Better Start programme, spanning five sites including Bradford, is being undertaken by NatCen.
They are looking at if, and how, A Better Start has improved children’s lives and finding out about families’ experiences of the programme.
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From 2015 to 2025 we delivered over 20 evidence-led projects and services for expectant families and families with children aged 0-3 in Bowling and Barkerend, Bradford Moor and Little Horton. What did we find out?
Dip into our library of research and evaluation reports, articles, family and early years resources, videos, podcast episodes and more!
Find out what's new at Better Start Bradford and read real-life impact stories from families, professionals and volunteers who have benefited from our work.