Institute of Education London

Childhood, Families and Health

Co-Heads of Department

Professor David Gough

Professor Ann Phoenix

The Department of Childhood, Families and Health (CFH) houses two prestigious, research intensive units of the IOE that together provide a foundation for world-leading work in childhood studies, social work, social pedagogy, families and health-related studies with a strong professional dimension.

The Social Science Research Unit (SSRU) undertakes rigorous, ethical and participative social research and promotes evidence-informed public policy and practice across a range of domains including education, health and welfare.  The unit engages in high quality, research-informed learning and teaching programmes, consultancy and other work.

The Thomas Coram Research Unit (TCRU) carries out research related to children and young people in and outside their families covering care, education, and health and social service settings.  Key research topics include: children and young people's workforce and services; parenting and families; and promoting children and young people's health and wellbeing.