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Programme for Evaluation of NCT Services

Programme for evaluation of NCT services 

NCT is committed to researching parents’ needs and experiences during the transition to parenthood. We believe it is important that services:·  

  • are responsive to parents’ concerns and interests and provide opportunities for them to find out and explore information that may protect and promote the health and wellbeing of themselves and their baby,
  • increase parents’ sense of self efficacy for birth, and in terms of feeding and caring for their baby,
  • build parents’ confidence to make active decisions that they feel are right for their family, and
  • develop parents’ support networks by introducing them to other parents and local services.

NCT Research and Information Team (RAIT) is currently carrying out a three-year Programme of evaluation of NCT services (2008-2010) to assess the extent to which they meet objectives. The 2008-2009 phase of the programme included: an evaluation of two core services, NCT antenatal classes longitudinal study (2008-2010) and evaluations of the NCT Breastfeeding Line. Members of RAIT working on the programme are Vanita Bhavnani, Sarah Fisher, Caroline Muller and Mary Newburn. RAIT also works with the Parents Services Department and the Education Department to evaluate externally funded projects.

Related documents

Breastfeeding Line reportPDF (PDF 283 Kb)
Over 38,000 calls made to the line in 2008. Evaluation included audit of calls & sociodemographic details of callers during May 08; qualitative interviews with a group of callers in Jul/Aug 08 about their experience of the line and its perceived usefulness
NCT antenatal classes 2009: our services from the parents point of view (2009)PDF (PDF 375 Kb)
The objectives of the evaluation are to research the information and support needs of parents around the time of birth and to inform the development of NCT services through evaluation of experiences and views of antenatal courses. New Digest, October 2009.
Breastfeeding Peer Support reportPDF (PDF 929 Kb)
The overall aim of this evaluation was to assess the feasibility of running the local peer support programmes, the strengths and weaknesses of the NCT peer supporter training, and the impact of the peer support on mothers’ experience of breastfeeding.
Styal prison reportPDF (PDF 107 Kb)
An NCT report on antenatal drop-in sessions held at Styal Prison in 2008.
NCT Pregnancy & Birth Line auditPDF (PDF 532 Kb)
This report summarises use of service in the Line’s third year and provides a comparison with the first two years. The aim is to provide information to help the NCT team decide how to develop the Line further.
Preparing for birth: What do parents think of antenatal education? (2007)PDF (PDF 406 Kb)
Between October 2005 and September 2006, the NCT worked with Birmingham Women’s Hospital and the Strategic Health Authority to assess the impact of ‘Preparation for Birth’ courses.