Evaluation of the BIG Lottery Fund Improving Futures Programme

In 2011 BIG Lottery Fund launched the £26m Improving Futures programme, which aims to test different approaches to improve outcomes for children in families with multiple and complex needs. The programme is funding 26 local projects across the UK, run by third sector organisations in partnership with statutory services; to develop innovative models of support for families where the eldest child is aged 5 – 10 and facing difficult circumstances. Ipsos is working in partnership with Ecorys UK, Parenting UK and the University of Nottingham to conduct an evaluation of the Improving Futures programme. Ipsos is working with 26 Improving Futures projects around the UK to interview families that have benefitted from the programme. The intention is to conduct follow-up interviews with families over the life of the evaluation, to understand the longer-term impact of the programme. Further details of the Improving Futures programme, the evaluation, and initial key messages can be found on the Big Lottery Fund website, while the first year evaluation report is available for download (PDF).

In addition, you can download full details of the data used in the report (PDF).

Technical note Interviews were conducted in two batches between 20 November 2012 and 23 May 2013 using a face-to-face Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) methodology.