The key people behind the project

Harriet’s research interests are in the areas of social policy, childhood/family studies, family support and children’s services. Her research and publications in these areas examine national and international reforms with recent UK research and publications analysing family support and family policy developments, intensive and inter-agency family support teams, and parenting support and education programmes.

Joe is Head of Policy and Research at Action for Children. Joe has expertise in leading campaigns and commissioning, managing and conducting applied research to influence UK policy and practice in family support, early help and children’s services. Joe and Action for Children were instrumental in expanding the ‘core services’ Department of Education (DfE) guidance for Family Hubs to ensure greater detail about early help; and facilitating the Care Review (McAlister 2022) to engage with care experienced youth. Joe has extensive research expertise (quantitative and qualitative), completed several research studies in the area; and has published several influential reports.

Jonathan is a researcher with an interest in the role that technology plays in people’s lives, with particular focus on young people and families, disadvantage, identity and agency. His work is multidisciplinary, contributing to academic discourse in areas of youth studies, education, digital-cultural studies and digital sociology.

Daisy leads Action for Children’s policy work on early help. This involves developing policy and research strategies so more children and families can get the help they need at the right time. She started at the charity in September 2023 and has five years’ experience working in children’s policy and research.