What services does Bristol provide for disadvantaged two-year-olds and what impact do they have? These are just two of the questions a team of researchers from the University will be asking parents, carers and early years practitioners in the city.

The project, which is funded by Bristol City Council’s Early Years team, will look at families’ uptake of childcare and other family-support services and ask them what works for them and why.

While many local authorities offer extra support for disadvantaged 2-year-olds and their families, and although it is a government commitment to maintain this provision, to date there has been little practical work with families to find out whether the services really work from their perspective and to understand barriers to their participation in services.

The study will involve interviews with parents, carers and staff at ten Bristol children’s centres and the findings will be published in July.

The research is led by Dr Debbie Watson and Ailsa Cameron from the University’s Centre for Research in Health and Social Care.

Dr Watson said:

‘The team is very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Bristol City Council on this important piece of work. We hope it will inform and improve the services provided for the most disadvantaged families and young children in Bristol. It is important to access the voices of parents and carers who use these services.’