Coram Institute
for Children
Turning insight into impact
Coram’s vision for children is a society where every child has the best possible chance in life, regardless of their background or circumstances. The Coram Institute for Children is the UK’s very first ‘think and do’ centre dedicated to advancing the life chances of children and young people everywhere, and committed to turning insight into impact in both policy and practice.
Key research
Childcare Survey 2026
In its 24th annual survey, Coram Family and Childcare reveal that working parents of children under three in England now pay less than half of last year’s cost for a part-time nursery place. However, prices for this age group continue to rise in Scotland and Wales, and childcare costs for three- to four-year-olds across Great Britain are up by almost 5%.
Every Day is Everything – Adopter recruitment and its impact
Every child should have the chance to grow up in a safe, loving and permanent family. Yet for too many children in England, that future is still out of reach. This report shines a light on a growing challenge.
Fairness in school exclusions: A roadmap for change
This report draws on CCLC’s legal casework representing children facing exclusion, alongside case studies from Coram’s Child Law Advice Service. It highlights how children with the greatest level of need can lose access to education through informal exclusionary practices with little transparency or independent scrutiny.
Bright Spots: From Surviving to Thriving
One in three (32%) young care leavers report having low wellbeing, according to new analysis from the largest survey of its kind, published by the Coram Institute for Children.
Areas of research
We are prioritising five areas where there is a need to develop evidence to address critical societal challenges and provide innovative solutions to improve the lives of children and young people.
Early Years Education and Childcare
Focusing on childcare and early education before formal schooling; early intervention and help for all children before involvement by statutory services.
Education, Skills and Wellbeing
Measures of wellbeing, socio-emotional education, and creative programmes.
Adoption and Care Experience
Those who are adopted, in foster care, residential care and in kinship care, as well as care leavers addressing practice, policy and systems change now and through time.
Children's Rights and Voice
School exclusion, homelessness and marginalisation from parts of society due to poverty, youth violence and exploitation, race, and immigration status or nationality.
International
Child rights frameworks as well as criminal, civil, administrative justice, with a focus on immigration, child protection and youth justice systems.
About our research
Coram has a lengthy track record of delivering research, with two established research teams:
- Coram Research, Impact and Evaluation, who for more than 15 years have partnered with national and local government, the NHS, think tanks and other third sector organisations to deliver large evaluations of significant policies and programmes.
- Coram International, which has worked in almost 100 countries, promoting and improving children’s rights through policy and practice reform.
Participatory research with children and young people is at the heart of our research and we use a variety of methods to ensure their voices are heard.
Coram-i is the Institute’s innovation and improvement arm, helping leaders to tackle complex challenges through insights, innovation and and cross-sector collaboration. Its work is grounded in data-driven decision making, ethical AI and collaboration.
In November 2025 we were awarded independent research organisation (IRO) status by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), so that we are now eligible to bid directly for research grant funding from the seven research councils of the United Kingdom.
UK Research, Impact and Evaluation
Coram Research, Impact and Evaluation has been working for over 15 years with government departments including the Department for Education and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, What Works Centres (such as Foundations and the Youth Endowment Fund), local authorities, the NHS and other third sector organisations to deliver large evaluations of significant policies and programmes. The team is led by Dr Sandy Cabrita Gulyurtlu FRSA.
Meet the team
- Dr Sandy Cabrita Gulyurtlu, FRSA
- Hannah Lawrence, BA, MSc
- Emily Blackshaw, BSc, PhD
- Katharine Stockland, MA, MPhil, PhD
- Sam Shorto, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD,
- Narendra Bhalla, BSc, MSc
- Richard Ollerearnshaw, BA, PGCE, MA
- Mia Johnson Hall, BA, MRes (in progress)
- Mariya Sethwala, BA, MSc
- Greg King, BA
- Elizabeth Raws, BA, MSc
- Amaka Udeagbaja, BA
- Eren Ince, MA, MSc (in progress)
Coram International
Coram International is led by Professor Dame Carolyn Hamilton and has over 25 years’ experience of research across the globe, specialising in child protection, child justice and education. The primary purpose of Coram International’s research is to inform and influence policy, legislation, programmes and child rights participation. It has completed research in 94 countries.
Meet the team
- Professor Dame Carolyn Hamilton, LLB, Barrister-at-Law, DBE
- Dr Amelia Smith, PHD
- Awaz Raoof, LLB, PGDip, LLM
- Farah Elhouni, LLB, LLM, MA (in progress)
- Freya Allery, MEng, MA PhD (in progress)
- Jen Joy, MA, MSc
- Kara Apland, BA, MSc, DPhil (in progress)
- Kirsten Anderson, LLB, BA, LLM
- Madison Charlton, BA, MSc, GMBPsS,
- Mathilde Guntzberger, BA, MA, PGDip
- Rebecca Sykes, BA, MA
- Sihana Bina, BS, MA
Policy and practice
Coram’s policy expertise spans all areas of children’s lives. We engage with government, MPs, local authorities, social workers, teachers, carers and families – all those in a position to make a difference and deliver better practice, systems and laws. Visit our policy page to find out more.
Young people’s voice in research
At the heart of our research strategy is participatory research with children using a variety of methods to ensure the inclusion of the child’s voice. We are also developing opportunities for youth peer researchers and early career researchers to develop skills and conduct relevant, impactful research.
Postgraduate youth insight researchers help to shape the research programme by initiating and delivering their own insight project which is showcased with an annual Future of Youth forum alongside established academics and practitioners.
Coram Institute Prospectus
To find out more about our impact, including our innovation in practice, download our prospectus. You can also view an embedded flipbook of the Institute Prospectus below – you will need to enable cookies for this to display.
The Coram Institute for Children works collaboratively with the following partners:
Next steps
We collaborate with professionals, government, schools, universities, families and all those who share our commitment to making life better for future generations. If you’d like to work with us, please get in touch with the team at institute@coram.org.uk. You can also download our prospectus to find out more about our latest research.
Our research Download the prospectus