But how? And why Kids Matter? As a charity hoping to change lives by supporting parents (and children) through our early intervention parenting programme, we spend a lot of time explaining our relevance – to the individual, to society and to the world at large. And rightly so – if we want churches to partner with us, if we want donors to support us; we need to substantiate our worth. Whilst Kids Matter is a “heart story” birthed from a compassionate and passionate desire to make a difference to parents and families, we know that cold hard stats and facts get attention and spark policy change. So, let’s have a look at the numbers:

Family breakdown is rife. And it costs. It costs £51 billion (2018); more than the UK’s entire defence budget. Calculated by the Relationships Foundation, this figure takes into account the cost to the taxpayer of families splitting up across areas including tax, benefits, housing, health, social care, civil and criminal justice and education.  The most recent dissection of costs was published by the Relationships Foundation in 2016 (when the cost of family breakdown was cited as £47.5 billion, £10 billion more than the £37 billion figure cited in 2008):

Not only does family breakdown cost an astronomical amount of money; it hurts – emotionally, mentally and physically, and has taken a severe toll on society. A new report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) articulates that those who experience family breakdown when aged 18 or younger are:

• Over twice as likely (2.3 times) to experience homelessness
• Twice as likely (2.0 times) to be in trouble with the police or spend time in prison
• Almost twice as likely (1.9 times) to experience educational underachievement
• Almost twice as likely (1.9 times) to experience not being with the other parent of their child/ren
• Approaching twice as likely (1.8 times) to experience alcoholism
• Approaching twice as likely (1.7 times) to experience teen pregnancy
• Approaching twice as likely (1.7 times) to experience mental health issues
• More likely (1.6 times) to experience debt
• More likely (1.4 times) to experience being on benefits.

These are facts.

At a time when austerity is not letting up, cuts to Sure Start, schools, child and adolescent mental health services, social services, the police and youth services are affecting families in need of support. There is a gap. Who will fill it? – A poignant question. As well as charitable organisations, the church (with its community links and ready volunteer base) is an obvious option. And in all honesty, who else will do it?

Early intervention is key for many families facing adversity and with budget cuts a harsh reality, programmes like Kids Matter are of critical value to parents and families with nowhere to turn. Research shows that although early intervention cannot solve everything – violent behaviour, depression, anxiety, conduct disorders etc. – it can substantially improve children’s lives if it is delivered to a high standard to the children or families who need it most.

Early intervention can strengthen parents’ and caregivers’ capacity to support children’s development. It can help children to develop the skills they need to live happy, healthy and successful lives, and work to reduce the negative impacts of economic disadvantage.

Our vision at Kids Matter is to equip the church to empower parents and caregivers facing adversity to develop the confidence and competence necessary for well-functioning family life. We do this through training and preparing front line church and Christian community leaders to run our relational, evidence-based Kids Matter parenting programme. It matters. Parents matter. Kids matter.

Kids Matter is a programme that engages with families and young children before crisis point – it strengthens families by giving mums and dads the tools to be competent, confident parents or caregivers. To get involved with our programme, as a volunteer or by financially supporting our programme, please contact us at info@kidsmatter.org.uk