Summary
The Youth Endowment Fund is seeking to appoint an umbrella partner to lead the next phase of the Emotion Coaching efficacy randomised controlled trial study. The selected umbrella partner will recruit local delivery partners, oversee delivery across multiple sites and organisations, coordinate implementation, and work closely with YEF, the intervention developer and an independent evaluator to evaluate the impact of Emotion Coaching on non-abusive mothers and their children aged 6–14 who have been exposed to domestic abuse.
This study builds on YEF’s previous Emotion Coaching feasibility study, which evaluated the model in refuge settings. Due to scalability considerations, the next phase will be an efficacy study in a community setting, designed to assess whether Emotion Coaching can reduce behavioural difficulties in children aged 6-14 exposed to domestic abuse.
The umbrella partner will work collaboratively with YEF, the intervention developer and the evaluator during a co-design stage to refine delivery and evaluation plans before full implementation. Progression to delivery will be subject to approval by YEF’s Grants and Evaluation Committee.
Project aim
- Deliver Emotion Coaching to mothers and their children (aged 6–14) affected by domestic abuse, at a scale required for the efficacy study (to be determined during co-design)
- Support an independent evaluation to test the efficacy of the intervention.
- Strengthen the evidence base for parenting support within domestic abuse contexts
Emotion Coaching
Emotion Coaching is an approach that helps parents recognise and respond to children’s emotions in supportive ways, strengthening emotional regulation and attachment. The model was designed for use with mothers and children who have experienced domestic abuse and will be delivered by community and voluntary organisations. The feasibility study of the model can be found here.
What’s involved
The umbrella partner will be responsible for:
- Participating in the co-design phase, supporting development of delivery and evaluation plans with YEF, the intervention developer and the evaluator.
- Recruiting up to two delivery partners and overseeing delivery across three partners in total (includes Solace Women’s Aid)
- Ensuring that delivery partners implement Emotion Coaching to a high standard, maintaining fidelity to the model in line with the programme manual.
- Work closely with the intervention developer, who will be facilitating training and ongoing supervision for delivery staff.
- Overseeing troubleshooting and risk management, across all delivery partners (particularly on referral, recruitment and attrition concerns).
- Supporting the independent evaluation team by facilitating access to delivery partners, data collection, and participant engagement activities.
- Monitoring delivery and outcomes, reporting progress and risks to YEF throughout the project.
Who should apply
YEF welcomes applications from organisations or consortia with:
- Experience coordinating multi-agency delivery across multiple local partners.
- Strong understanding of domestic abuse services, the needs of mothers and children affected by abuse, and the routes by which families are referred to support services.
- Experience delivering or supporting parenting or group-based interventions.
- Proven ability to manage quality, data, and evaluation processes across multiple sites.
Applicants may apply as a single organisation or as part of a consortium. YEF particularly welcomes applications from umbrella organisations with established networks of domestic abuse providers.
How to apply – Umbrella Partner
The umbrella partner will be appointed through a competitive tendering process. Applicants must submit a full proposal – find out more below.
Completed applications should be submitted to grants@youthendowmentfund.org.uk with the subject line Emotion Coaching Umbrella Partner Proposal.
The deadline for submission is 5pm, Friday 14th November 2025.
Delivery Partner Expressions of Interest
Organisations that do not wish to apply as the umbrella partner but would like to be considered for delivery roles within the Emotion Coaching project should complete the separate Expression of Interest (EOI): Emotion Coaching Delivery Partner form.
Please note:
- This EOI is not a funding application.
- Delivery partners will work under the umbrella partner, once appointed by YEF.
- The appointed umbrella partner will decide which delivery partners to engage, based on alignment with delivery requirements, local capacity, and overall study needs.
- YEF will share all completed EOIs with the appointed umbrella partner after selection.
The EOI form and instructions are available in the same application pack or can be requested by contacting fardawza.ahmed@youthendowmentfund.org.uk with the subject line Emotion Coaching Delivery Partner EOI.
The deadline for submitting EOIs is 5pm, Friday 14th November 2025.
Questions
For any questions about this call, please contact fardawza.ahmed@youthendowmentfund.org.uk, specifying Emotion Coaching Umbrella or Delivery Partner in the subject line.