His impact on the British educational system through his books, campaigns and action research were significant ; his recognition as one of the founding fathers of the Open University; his pioneering work on the Childcare switchboard ( later to become Childline in the UK), and finally before his early death the establishment of the National children’s Centre in Huddersfield ( now Fresh Futures incorporating Brian Jackson College) educationalist.

In 1973 with funding from the Social Science Research Council, Brian led a ground breaking piece of research on the ‘ Educational implications of illegal child minding’, particularly focussing on West Indian children - the ‘dawnwatch’project ‘ took a week in cold December and watched from before dawn in 5 cities, working parents taking their small children to spend many hours in care from childminders who received no support, recognition or training [4] He founded the National Educational Research and Development Trust (NERDT) which set up the National Children's Centre in 1974 in Huddersfield.

He was a pioneer and had a major influence on the development of significant ideas in the fields of sociology, and education- and was always focussed on their practical action.

[5] Brian Jackson collapsed 500 yards from the finish whilst taking part in a charity five mile run in aid of the National Children's Centre on Sunday, 3 July 1983.

He was given heart massage but was pronounced dead on arrival at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.He was only 50 years old but left a legacy that is still impacting children, their future well being and the education system today Streaming - Routledge & Kegan Paul 1964 Working Class Community - Routledge &Kegan Paul 1968 Starting School - Croom Helm 1979 Childminder ( with Sonia Jackson) Routledge & Kegan Paul 1979 Living with Children - Sphere 1980 Your Exceptional Child Fontana 1980 Fatherhood - George Allen & Unwin 1983