This report documents one of three themed studies undertaken as part of the national evaluation of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy 2004-09. It explores how Communities for Children, Invest to Grow and Local Answers projects and activities have engaged clients who may be considered hard-to-reach.

Using interviews with key informants in a sample of projects, the report explores the key research questions:

• How, and how effectively, have services receiving Local Answers, Invest to Grow, and Communities for Children funding engaged hard-to-reach populations?

• What challenges have they faced?

• What would help improve reach and engagement?