Evaluation of Start for Life
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of Start for Life: Parent-infant experiences Across Time: Health, Well-being, And Support (PATHWAYS)
IRAS ID
328860
Contact name
Jane Barlow
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Research Governance, Ethics and Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 17 days
Research summary
The period from pregnancy to age 2 years (“the first 1001 days”) is important in laying the foundations for a child’s later development. When families experience difficulties in this period it can have a strong impact on the child’s development which increases over the child’s life.
Start for Life (SfL) aims to transform support for families in 75 local authorities (LAs) in England during the crucial first 1001 days. This study will inform the planning, funding, and continual improvement of the SfL package prior to the wider roll-out of the programme.
The evaluation will involve several components, using a range of research methods, to examine the implementation process and outcomes of Start for Life.We will recruit 60 families and explore their experiences from pregnancy through the first 1-2 years of life to see if they get the information and help they need. These families will be followed up with over 2-3 years, depending on when in the project they are recruited. We will also recruit an additional 8-10 parents or carers every year to take part in the same interviews at just one point in time.
The second component will assess the overall impact of the SfL programme across the 75 LAs on the following outcomes: breastfeeding, parental mental health, and the parent-infant relationship. We will compare outcomes in the LAs that received SfL funding with LAs that did not receive SfL funding. We will analyse nationally and locally collected datasets as well as questionnaires administered locally to families.
The data from both study components will be analysed to identify the factors that influence differences in service delivery, outcomes for babies, and examples of best practice that can be applied across the 75 funded areas. Our findings will inform policy and practice recommendations for the rest of England.REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0371
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion