What Works

CEBEI is particularly interested in exploring the effectiveness of different interventions including parenting and school-based programmes. We use a range of different study types depending on the level of evidence for the programme. Feasibility studies are used to explore the acceptability of the intervention for participants and delivering practitioners, the feasibility of delivering the intervention in real-world settings, and an initial examination of outcomes. Pilot studies are then conducted to examine outcomes further before conducting randomised controlled trials to fully test the effectiveness of an intervention. Our projects have researched parenting programmes for parents of children with behaviour problems, Autism Spectrum Disorder, attention deficit difficulties, language delays, foster carers; school-based programmes for children with social-emotional difficulties, teacher classroom management, bullying prevention, language delays.

Our main goal is to add to the evidence base on early intervention for children and families. We do this by working closely with service providers to assess whether there are any gaps in support for children and/or families, explore barriers to delivering interventions, and examine the use of interventions with different populations. We work with settings such as schools, nurseries, family support services, neurodevelopmental services, child and adolescent mental health services, and health visiting.