The Evidence-based Parenting Practitioner’s Handbook

The Evidence-based Parenting Practitioner’s Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the knowledge necessary to effectively deliver evidence-based parenting interventions within community and health settings. Using clear examples of how this knowledge can inform frontline work with parents, this practical handbook includes:


an overview of the policy context underpinning evidence-based parenting work in the US, UK, Australia and Norway


a discussion of how a robust evidence base is established and the ways in which practitioners can access information about good-quality research


an overview of how research in the field of child development has contributed to the development of evidence-based parenting interventions


an overview of how theories and research in the field of therapeutic practice have contributed to the development of evidence-based parenting interventions


what research evidence suggests about the role of the practitioner in the delivery of evidence-based support


outcome-focused methods for establishing the evidence base of new parenting interventions


outcome-focused methods for commissioning evidence-based parenting services.
Emphasizing the ways in which practitioners can evaluate and translate messages from research into applied work with parents and families, The Evidence-based Parenting Practitioner’s Handbook is suitable for all those involved in the delivery of evidence-based parenting support, including frontline practitioners, service managers, parenting commissioners, heads of children’s services and policy makers.

Kirsten Asmussen is a developmental psychologist with expertise in the parent/child relationship and parenting interventions. She works at the National Academy for Parenting Research where she leads a team of researchers who evaluate the programmes appearing on the Commissioning Toolkit.

1. The Need for Evidence-based Parenting Support 2. Understanding the Evidence Base 3. Evidence-based Theories of Child Development 4. Evidence-based Therapies Used in Parenting Work 5. The Role of the Practitioner in Providing Evidence-based Parenting Support 6. Planning and Evaluating Evidence-based Parenting Support 7. Evidence-based Parenting Support at the Community Level 8. Moving Forward