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Evaluation conducted by Ipsos MORI to assess the impact of the Baby Box scheme in Scotland on its short- and medium-term outcomes.

This report presents the main findings from an evaluation of Scotland’s Baby Box scheme, conducted by Ipsos MORI Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government between June 2019 and Autumn 2020. The majority of fieldwork – including survey and qualitative research with parents – was conducted prior to the March 2020 lockdown due to COVID-19. The report therefore largely focuses on experiences and views of the scheme prior to COVID-19.

The Baby Box scheme aims to contribute to improving child outcomes and to tackling deprivation and inequality, while recognising that it is only one of a range of Scottish Government policies that aim to give children the best possible start in life. The contents of the baby box are designed to inform and support positive parenting behaviours and it was also anticipated that the box would act as a mechanism for encouraging parental engagement with services. By offering the box universally, the Scottish Government also intended that the scheme would help foster a shared understanding of a society that values and supports all children.

The aim of this evaluation was to assess what, if any, impact the scheme may be having on its expected short- and medium-term outcomes. It also examines how the scheme is operating in practice, and parents’ and professionals’ views of the box being offered universally, to all expectant parents in Scotland.

Baby Box Evaluation 124 page PDF 919.3 kB