Monitoring and evaluation
Monitoring and evaluationFramework for outcomes monitoring
Cumberland’s Best Start in Life Strategic Group, working alongside the Family Help and Prevention Partnership Board, has developed an outcomes framework model shown in in Figure 3.
The model is based on Cumberland’s Theory of Change model for parent-infant relationships and draws on research from national frameworks, including the Common Outcomes for Children and Young People’s Collaborative.
Figure 3: Cumberland’s Framework for Best Start in Life outcomes monitoring. A decorative diagram illustrating the structure, domains and relationships within the Best Start in Life outcomes monitoring framework.
A Best Start in Life child development outcomes dataset is being developed for Cumberland. It will include nationally reported datasets as well as locally agreed indicators, such as evaluation measures linked to Cumberland’s Family Hubs. Timely access to these data will help partners hold each other to account and respond more effectively when concerns about progress arise.
Priority outcome measures have been identified across the outcome domains for Year 1 of this strategy. These are set out in Appendix 2: Best Start in Life Indicators – Year 1.
Review and adaptation of the Best Start in Life strategy
Review and adaptation of the Best Start in Life strategy
The success of the Best Start in Life action plan will be measured using the indicators listed below:
Nationally reported indicators (Local Government Outcomes Framework)
The indicators include:
- percentage of children achieving a good level of development at age 5
- percentage achieving a good level of development at the 2 to 2.5 year review
- percentage of 5 year old's with experience of visually obvious dental decay
- take-up rate of the 2 year old disadvantage childcare offer
- take-up rate of the 3 and 4 year old 15 hours childcare offer
- Best Start Family Hubs indicators (to be confirmed)
Continuous improvement across the strategy
To ensure the strategy remains responsive to community needs and local priorities, we will embed a continuous improvement cycle.
Regular performance reviews
Quarterly updates from action plan leads to highlight achievements, risks and support needs
Annual analysis of key indicators in March 2026, March 2027, March 2028 and August 2028
Feedback from families and practitioners
Ongoing insights from Parent and Carer Champions through Family Hubs and from seldom heard groups
Targeted engagement to understand what is working well and where changes are needed
Learning from pilots and innovation
Learning from local test and learn activity to inform decisions about scaling, adapting or discontinuing new approaches
Sharing findings across partners to strengthen practice
Each year, we will update actions, re‑prioritise resources and respond to emerging needs to ensure that the strategy remains evidence‑led and focused on improving outcomes for families.