Data Informed Decision Making: Insights from The National Lottery Community Fund's A Better Start Programme

Introduction

This report explains why using data matters in the A Better Start (ABS) programme and how partnerships use evidence to shape and improve early‑years services. It brings together learning from all 5 ABS areas:

• Blackpool

• Bradford

• Lambeth (London)

• Nottingham

• Southend‑on‑Sea

It’s written for:

1. funders

2. commissioners

3. service leaders

4. early‑years organisations who want to strengthen evidence‑informed practice

It does not include new research. Instead, it brings together insights from existing data and partnership experience.

Findings

The report found that ABS partnerships use a wide range of data to design, target and improve services. This includes:

• monitoring information

• research evidence

• feedback from parents and outcomes data

Data helps teams understand local needs, track progress and make changes when services are not reaching the right families.

The report highlights the importance of:

• strong data systems

• clear processes

• staff confidence with data

• supportive leadership

It also shows that good evidence comes from both numbers and lived experience, with parent voice adding detail that data alone cannot capture.

Case studies from all 5 ABS areas show how data‑informed decisions led to better‑focused services and improved delivery.