Research and analysis

Reducing Parental Conflict Programme evaluation: second report on implementation

This report summarises evaluation findings from the Reducing Parental Conflict (RPC) programme for the period from December 2019 to January 2021.

Applies to England

Documents

Reducing Parental Conflict Programme Evaluation: second report on implementation

Details

Research background

This report was commissioned to provide further evidence about programme implementation. It includes perceptions of the impact the programme has had, and could have, on local practices to support families experiencing conflict and improve children’s outcomes.

Contribution to the evidence base

This report coincides with the publication of the Reducing Parental Conflict programme: Challenge Fund Phase 2 learning report. The Challenge Fund was designed to grant fund 10 innovative projects to further build the evidence base on what works to reduce parental conflict within disadvantaged families in 2 streams of work:

a. Digital support
b. Support for particular cohorts of disadvantaged families

Reducing Parental Conflict: a digital discovery discussed how parents in low-income households that experience parental conflict search for help online and the digital support they need.

A recent literature review on the relationship between substance abuse and parental conflict documented the complexity of issues contributing to family stress.

Previous DWP research “Improving Lives: Helping Workless Families” identified how parental conflict can affect children’s outcomes. This is why DWP introduced the Reducing Parental Conflict programme.

Research value

This is the second report from the evaluation of the Reducing Parental Conflict programme providing evidence on implementation. We will have initial evidence of the impact of the programme in 2022 to inform decisions about continuing investment.

We want to share what we have learned as it will be of interest to others in central and local government in particular. It will also be valuable to organisations working with, or on behalf of, families.

Updates to this page

Published 12 November 2021
Last updated 17 April 2023 + show all updates
  1. Updated the Reducing Parental Conflict Programme evaluation: second report on implementation. In Table 2.1 (Interventions being delivered), the Intervention Name 'Mentalisation Based Therapy – Parenting Together' has been changed to 'Mentalisation Based Therapy – Parenting under pressure', and the Length of delivery changed from 9 to 10 sessions of therapeutic work.

  2. Updated description of Mentalisation Based Therapy, one of Reducing Parental Conflict interventions, to more accurately reflect the nature of the sessions and who delivers them.

  3. First published.

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