Youth Endowment Fund Unconditional Cash Transfers Efficacy Trial

Poverty is a substantial predictor of challenges facing families. It exacerbates many factors, including alcohol and substance misuse, propensity to commit violent acts, involvement in crime and other activities, poor diet, lack of cleanliness, and neglect. These constitute common reasons for families encountering children’s social care, and subsequent state involvement in family life. Local authorities can provide financial and material support for families under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989. These provisions state that the local authority can provide support in the form of cash (and other means), and that they may make these payments unconditional. This study, funded by the Youth Endowment Fund, will evaluate whether providing unconditional cash transfers to families with children aged 10-14 years who are a Child in Need or subject to a Child Protection Plan (i) alleviates financial strain and (ii) positively impacts on family outcomes that are predictive of involvement in violence and crime. It will also explore unintended adverse effects. The study, a randomised controlled trial design with a built-in implementation and process evaluation, will be conducted in selected urban and rural local authorities in England. Quantitative data will be collected from parents/carers on outcomes such as parent stress, the home environment, parenting capacity and child behavioural difficulties. The research will also involve interviewing parents, social workers and the delivery team about the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention. The study will produce a report for the funder and one or more articles for peer-reviewed journals and contribute to the wider knowledge base on unconditional cash transfers. It is a partnership involving the Anna Freud Centre (lead), University of Exeter and University of Plymouth.