Transfer and Implementation of New Beginnings – Stockport to Tameside (short: Transit)

The Transfer and Implementation of New Beginnings – Stockport to Tameside (Transit) study investigates the transfer and implementation of the New Beginnings programme from Stockport local authority to Tameside local authority. The project is part of the 5-year programme of “rapid evaluations”, led by the Social Care Rapid Evaluation Team (SOCRATES). New Beginnings was developed to support parents involved in child protection who often face complex trauma, affecting emotional regulation and parenting capacity. Unlike other short-term parenting programmes, it offers a 24-week structured relationship-based approach combining group therapy, individual counselling, keyworker engagement, and practical life-skills sessions. Weekly activities address trauma recovery, substance misuse and mental health support, and workshops on budgeting, self-care, and creative projects. This integrated approach aims to foster emotional recovery, behavioural change, and peer support networks. Evidence from Stockport demonstrates strong outcomes: reduced statutory involvement, improved parenting confidence, and cost savings. Since inception, 145 families have participated, with 66% completing the programme and 93% of children remaining with birth parents. A reunification strand launched in 2025 successfully reunited 14 of 15 children. Peer mentors now co-facilitate sessions, strengthening trust and engagement. Economic analysis suggests substantial savings, due to the prevention of care entries. The transfer to Tameside offers opportunities to replicate these benefits but faces contextual challenges. Tameside is more deprived than Stockport and has a lower Ofsted rating than Stockport. These differences may influence implementation fidelity and adaptation. The study aims to evaluate how the model is introduced and adapted, whether early outcomes mirror those in Stockport, and what conditions enable successful transfer. It also examines service and economic implications and generates learning for wider replication across Greater Manchester and beyond. The evaluation uses the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and realist evaluation principles to explore context, readiness, fidelity, and adaptation. Mixed methods will include interviews, focus groups, observations, workforce surveys, document analysis, routine service data, and exploratory cost analysis. Participants include parents, practitioners, and system stakeholders. Ethical approval will be sought, and public involvement embedded through co-design and advisory networks. The project runs from January to December 2026. Outputs will include policy briefs, a final report, academic publications, and lay summaries. Findings will inform local authorities and national policy on scaling trauma-informed interventions, supporting priorities for early family-focused support and reducing care entry. Ultimately, this evaluation aims to advance understanding of how effective social care models can be transferred between local contexts, contributing to evidence-based strategies for prevention, workforce development, and family stability.