Virtual parent support portals: a new research and practice agenda

This project will evaluate and develop the evidence base for virtual parent support portals, working in partnership with Action for Children. 

Why this project is important

‘Virtual parent support portals’ is a term used to refer to a wealth of services delivered via websites, apps, or social media which provide information, resources, and support to parents.

Pressure on parents and children have been intensified by post-pandemic stresses on family finances, mental health, child development, educational outcomes, and overstretched services.

In response, types of virtual parent support portals have increased and diversified to include:

• family information services
• self-help parenting resources
• new multi-modal and multi-agency early help and family services.

How the research will be carried out

The research team will use a mixed-methods approach to meet their three aims: 

1. Develop new concepts and understandings about innovations in digital information, engagement, and support services for parents.  
2. Scope and appraise cross-disciplinary research about virtual parent support portals and their significance for social support and family well-being. 
3. Scope and appraise developments in virtual parent support portals as early help, family support, and child well-being initiatives in England.  

The project will be completed in three phases.  

1. Exploring existing research about the conceptualisation, delivery, and evaluation of portals.  
2. Surveying local authorities in England with children’s services responsibilities about how and why portals have been developed; how their costs, benefits, and limitations have been evaluated; and plans for future developments and limitations.  
3. Exploring the perspectives of parents in a single local authority, served by a Family Hub with multi-modal digital and in-person services. This fieldwork will generate qualitative data from a diverse group of parents about their engagement, use, and evaluation of both Family Hub services and online and digital information, support, and services targeted at parents and communities.    

How will it make a difference?

Findings from the project will generate insights into:

• the potential benefits and challenges of further investment in portals
• how target group, service, and systematic characteristics influence their effectiveness
• and what are the prevailing knowledge gaps.

The findings will inform the development of an online toolkit for policy and practice communities.