Impact report 2013

Our annual Impact Report demonstrates the difference that Action for Children services have made to children and young people's lives over the past year.

We know that helping vulnerable children early is vital to improving their outcomes, and we focus on four key areas that make their lives better: safety, health, relationships and achievement. The Report shows that we can evidence the cost-effectiveness of our services, and it also highlights our innovative approach.

For example, Action for Children is leading the way in providing evidence-based programmes, such as Multi Systemic Therapy (MST) for young people on the edge of care. We have also developed our Family Partners service, which intervenes early to tackle neglect.

Key findings for 2012-13 include:

• In 79% of Family Partners cases the concerns about neglect were addressed and concerns about the child reduced or removed.
• 86% of our children's centres were rated 'good' or 'outstanding' on their safeguarding of children.
• In our intensive family support services 89% of children and young people improved and achieved at school.
• 72% of children and young people involved with our services improved their ability to maintain or form a supportive relationship with significant other(s).
• We have won contracts to deliver MST services in the first two major children’s social investment projects in Essex. These services will provide positive alternatives to local authority care by improving relationships within birth families and increasing educational attendance and achievement.
• An independent Social Return on Investment evaluation by Beacon CIC (2012) of one of our children’s centres found a total return of between £7 and £8.50 for every £1 invested.

Read about the difference we've made and see the evidence that demonstrates our impact: