If you’re raising a young child right now, you may feel overwhelmed, unsure where to turn for help, or simply unaware that help even exists. The good news is that many parenting programmes have been shown to really work — improving children’s behaviour, confidence, communication, and overall development. The bad news is that most families either don’t know about them, or aren’t being offered the ones with the strongest evidence.
A recent report by Nesta (2025) shows how we can change that. It offers a deep dive into the UK’s parenting support landscape — and highlights the real opportunities that parents can and should know about.
While the Nesta (2025) report offers vital insights into the UK’s parenting support landscape, it’s worth noting that its approach is highly rooted in a particular kind of evidence — especially large-scale quantitative studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs). This rigorous “what works” methodology can offer clarity on measurable outcomes, but may also miss important qualitative nuances, such as individual family stories, cultural context, and what ‘success’ feels like for different kinds of parents.
As the authors themselves admit, “RCTs are expensive, lengthy and technically demanding” and may “evaluate interventions under implementation conditions that replicate how they might be implemented at scale” only with difficulty. They also highlight that “many notable interventions with RCTs end up not meeting the threshold for being evidence-based due to implementation or methodological issues” (Nesta, 2025, p. 29).
Crucially, Nesta acknowledges that “although there are well-established avenues to identifying which programmes are effective… we know very little about which ones are the best fit for different families’ needs and preferences” (p. 8). That’s an important limitation: a parenting programme may be ‘evidence-based’ in one setting but less effective — or even inappropriate — in another.
So what does this mean for you, the parent?
It means that while Nesta’s findings offer a strong starting point for discovering what’s out there, you should still trust your instincts, consider your unique circumstances, and feel empowered to ask questions. Qualitative evidence — your own experience, your child’s responses, conversations with other caregivers — matters too. Evidence can guide, but it shouldn’t override the lived reality of parenting.
That said, the Nesta report is a very useful resource — and it surfaces some genuinely important insights for parents. Here are five key takeaways you can learn from the report, and how they might apply to your own parenting journey:
1. Some parenting programmes really work — but only if they’re well delivered and accessible
There’s strong evidence that well-designed parenting programmes can make a big difference to a child’s development. For example, programmes like Incredible Years Preschool and Triple P Online have been shown to improve behaviour, reduce anxiety, boost communication skills, and even raise later reading levels.
These programmes are most effective when:
- They are delivered in small groups or one-to-one by trained facilitators.
- They run for several weeks (often 8–12 sessions) and include clear, structured content.
- They focus on practical, doable things: how to play, how to manage tantrums, how to build routines, how to encourage positive behaviour.
If your child is between 2 and 6 and you are struggling with things like tantrums, sleep, biting, hitting, or withdrawal, you may benefit from one of these. Ask your local Family Hub or health visitor whether they offer:
- Triple P (Positive Parenting Programme) – especially the online version, which some councils offer for free.
- Incredible Years Preschool, especially if you prefer in-person support.
You can also visit the programme websites:
- https://www.triplep.uk.net, the parenting webpage is here.
- https://incredibleyears.com
2. The most widely offered parenting programmes may not be the most effective
Nesta’s research revealed that many local authorities continue to fund programmes that have not been robustly tested. For example, the Solihull Approach is one of the most common parenting programmes in the UK — but it lacks the kind of strong evidence that comes from randomised controlled trials. That means we don’t really know if it works.
By contrast, well-evidenced programmes like EPEC (Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities), Incredible Years, and Triple P often receive less attention, even though they have been tested and shown to work.
As a parent, this means you should:
- Ask questions when you’re offered a course. Say: “What’s the name of the programme?” “Is it evidence-based?” “What kind of outcomes does it improve?”
- Look up the programme on the Foundations Guidebook: https://foundations.org.uk/toolkit/guidebook. This site rates programmes from Level 1 to 4 based on how strong the evidence is. Level 3 or 4 means the programme is backed by rigorous research.
This isn’t about rejecting support — it’s about making sure you spend your precious time on something that works.
3. Support can be tailored to your specific needs — but you may have to ask for it
Nesta found that the most popular programmes are the ones that offer flexibility. That means they can be adapted for:
- Parents of children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
- Single parents or young parents.
- Families from different cultural backgrounds or language groups.
- Families living in rural or isolated areas.
If you feel a course isn’t suited to your situation, speak up. You can ask your Family Hub, GP, or children’s centre for alternatives such as:
- EPEC: Run by trained local parents, often in multiple languages, and designed to feel non-judgemental and accessible.
- Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities: A programme with a strong track record of working with diverse communities and offering space to reflect on cultural and faith-based parenting values.
- Making it REAL: A literacy-focused programme that helps parents support their children’s learning at home, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
You can also contact national organisations for SEND-specific support, such as:
4. Universal parenting support is rare — but some brilliant free options are available online
A major finding from the Nesta report is that only a small fraction of parenting interventions are universal. Most are targeted — which means they’re only available if you meet certain criteria, such as being referred by a professional or living in a particular postcode.
However, universal support is one of the best ways to normalise parenting help and ensure families don’t fall through the cracks. There are a few simple, research-informed options that anyone can access today:
- Tiny Happy People texting service: Run by the BBC, this service sends weekly texts with quick ideas to support communication, bonding, and play. You can sign up at https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/sign-up.
- EasyPeasy app: Offers bite-sized activities to build connection, confidence, and learning. Some local authorities offer it for free. Check here: https://www.easypeasyapp.com
- Bookstart and Words for Life: National literacy support from BookTrust and the National Literacy Trust, with tips for reading, talking, and singing with your child.
These kinds of tools are particularly helpful for busy parents who don’t have time for group sessions or prefer learning in their own space and time.
5. Most councils and services don’t collect parent feedback — so your voice really matters
Nesta found that there is a serious lack of data on what parents think of the support they receive. Many programmes are run without collecting meaningful feedback. This means the system doesn’t always know:
- What’s working well.
- Why parents drop out of programmes.
- What kinds of support parents actually want.
Here’s what you can do:
- If you attend a course, complete any feedback form honestly.
- If you don’t attend a course because it doesn’t feel right or wasn’t convenient, let someone know — your health visitor, local hub, or council parenting lead.
- Join a parent group or PTA and raise the issue of parenting support.
- If you have a good experience, share it. If not, explain why.
You can also contact organisations like https://www.parentkind.org.uk, who work to amplify parent voices nationally.
By speaking up, you can help shape better services — not just for your child but for thousands of others.
Final thoughts
Parenting is hard work. The idea that we should just ‘know’ what to do is both unrealistic and unkind. The reality is that good parenting support — especially in those early years — can make life easier, reduce stress, and give children a better start.
But you shouldn’t have to fight to find it.
This new research from Nesta shows we need a system that offers clear, accessible, and evidence-based support to all families. Until then, it’s up to us as parents to ask questions, seek out the best options, and demand better.
Start with these three actions today:
- Check the Foundations Guidebook to see which parenting programmes are backed by evidence.
- Sign up for Tiny Happy People or EasyPeasy for free weekly tips.
- Ask your local Family Hub what they offer — and don’t be afraid to ask for something better.
Useful Websites for Parenting Support
Below is a list of trusted websites that offer parenting advice, free resources, and evidence-based support. These are mentioned throughout the blog and gathered here for easy reference.
1. Foundations Guidebook (formerly EIF Guidebook)
https://foundations.org.uk/toolkit/guidebook
This website provides independent ratings of parenting programmes used across the UK. Each intervention is given a score (from 1 to 4) based on how strong the evidence is that it works.
Use this to:
- Check if a parenting programme you’re offered has been properly tested.
- Learn what kind of support is available and what it helps with (e.g. behaviour, communication, bonding).
2. Triple P UK – Positive Parenting Programme
https://www.triplep.uk.net
Triple P offers online and in-person courses designed to support parents of children of all ages. The online version is easy to access and available free in some areas.
Use this to:
- Find a parenting course tailored to your child’s age and your concerns.
- Sign up for free parenting modules covering common challenges.
3. Incredible Years UK
https://incredibleyears.com
The Incredible Years programme is one of the most well-researched parenting interventions for children aged 2–8. It focuses on positive parenting, emotional regulation, and building strong routines.
Use this to:
- Understand the programme structure and benefits.
- Find out if it’s being offered locally by asking your health visitor or Family Hub.
4. Tiny Happy People – BBC Parenting Hub
https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people
Run by the BBC in partnership with speech and language experts, this site offers hundreds of short videos, games, and tips to help you support your child’s language and emotional development.
Use this to:
- Sign up for free weekly texts tailored to your child’s age.
- Watch quick activity videos to support bonding, talking, and playing.
5. EasyPeasy App
https://www.easypeasyapp.com
This app delivers playful home learning activities that support children’s development — all rooted in research on what works. Some schools and councils offer it free.
Use this to:
- Try fun, practical activities that fit easily into daily routines.
- Boost your child’s confidence, attention, and communication.
6. Contact – For Families with Disabled Children
https://contact.org.uk
This charity offers advice, support, and information for parents of children with additional needs or disabilities.
Use this to:
- Access one-to-one support via their helpline.
- Learn about local services and rights in education and healthcare.
7. Home-Start UK
https://www.home-start.org.uk
Home-Start provides volunteer-led support to families with young children, especially those going through a tough time.
Use this to:
- Ask about home-visiting support or local groups.
- Get matched with a trained volunteer parent who understands what you’re going through.
8. Parentkind
https://www.parentkind.org.uk
A charity that supports parent voice in schools and communities.
Use this to:
- Join or influence your local school’s parent group.
- Learn how to advocate for better parenting support in your area.
Reference
Nesta (2025) Parenting support at scale: Market analysis. Available at: https://www.nesta.org.uk