Welcome to the Tavistock Institute

Rigour, reflection and thoughtfulness are at the heart of what we do.

We work to improve the effectiveness of groups and organisations and, therefore, people’s lives. We bring insight and care to consultancy, applied research and evaluation – insight based on the social sciences. We help our clients work with the unexpected, and to learn and develop new and imaginative ways forward.

The Tavistock Institute combines research, consultancy and analytical skills to give practical help to clients.

Our staff engage creatively with people involved in innovative activities, working across boundaries or in difficult situations.

Featured case study:

Overarching Evaluation of the Parenting Fund

The Parenting Fund was first announced in the Government's 2002 Spending Review, the latest in a series of area-based family support initiatives launched since 1997 and some unique and innovative features distinguished the Parenting Fund from previous initiatives which aimed to support families.

While the impact of the funded projects on parents and children was important, the Fund's main objective was to build capacity in the parenting and family support sector. Thus the evaluation explored the extent to which the Fund was successful in: developing a strategic approach to provision; strengthening the voluntary sector infrastructure; and increasing parenting provision, specifically by filling gaps in the availability of parenting support and improving access for and take-up by groups not well served. Consequently, it concentrated on process, outputs, and short-to-medium term outcomes, rather than on longer-term outcomes such as improvements in parenting skills or in child behaviour.

The final report will be made available later this month