Research reports

Digital life and online safety

Childline Reach: Behind the Screen

NSPCC / Childline · 2024

This briefing draws on analysis of over 900 Childline counselling sessions in 2023/24 with children who experienced sextortion. It finds that 68% of sessions involved boys, with financially motivated sextortion being a key pattern, while girls were more commonly pressured into sending further nude images. The report highlights the scale and gendered nature of online sexual extortion affecting children and young people contacting Childline.

Secondary analysisUK-wide

Criminal justice and youth violence

Everyone Has a Role to Play in Preventing Child Exploitation (Youth Voice Report 2024 - 324 young people consulted across England and Wales)

The Children's Society · 2024

This report presents findings from consultations with 324 young people aged 13–19 across England and Wales, exploring how adults — including the public, security staff, police, and transport workers — respond to children at risk of exploitation. Young people reported that bias related to race, gender, appearance, and neurodiversity significantly affects whether adults intervene to help. They called for more empathetic, non-judgemental, and proactive responses from all adults, and highlighted that minoritised young people are disproportionately less likely to receive protection. The findings will inform The Children's Society's national #LookCloser campaign and work with professionals to improve responses to child exploitation.

Young people consultedFocus groupOtherEnglandWales

Mental health and wellbeing

Girls Attitudes Survey 2024

Girlguiding · 2024

Girlguiding's 2024 Girls' Attitudes Survey finds that girls in the UK are experiencing a crisis of confidence, driven by pervasive sexism, appearance pressures, online harm, and the cost-of-living crisis. Three in four girls aged 11–16 see or experience sexism, 77% of girls aged 7–21 experienced online harm in the past year, and only 1 in 4 girls feel very confident in their lives. Despite these challenges, girls remain hopeful and curious about the future, valuing friendship, community and confidence as key to their success.

Co-producedSurveyMixed methodsUK-wide

Mental health and wellbeing

The Prince's Trust Natwest Youth Index 2024

The Prince's Trust · 2024

The 2024 Prince's Trust NatWest Youth Index surveyed 2,239 UK young people aged 16–25 to measure their happiness and confidence across areas including work, mental health, money, education and relationships. The report finds that happiness and confidence with money have hit the lowest level in the study's 15-year history, and that poor mental health is creating a vicious cycle that hinders young people's entry into and retention in education and employment. NEET young people report the lowest overall wellbeing scores, and young women are disproportionately affected by financial anxiety and low confidence. Despite these pressures, the majority of young people remain determined to achieve their goals and want practical support to do so.

SurveyUK-wide

Identity, belonging and community

Life in Scotland for LGBT Young People: Rural Report 2023

LGBT Youth Scotland · 2023

This report explores the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people living in rural and remote areas of Scotland, drawing on a nationwide survey of 1,279 LGBTQ+ young people aged 13–25. It finds that only 39% of rural-based participants consider their local area a good place for LGBTQ+ young people, compared to 59% of those in non-rural areas. Key themes include widespread homophobia, biphobia and transphobia; risks around coming out; isolation; and a lack of accessible LGBTQ+ services and communities in rural areas. The report makes recommendations to the Scottish Government, local authorities, Police Scotland, and service providers to invest in inclusive education, youth work, and community resources for LGBTQ+ young people in rural Scotland.

SurveySecondary analysisScotland

Race, ethnicity and racial justice

See Us, Hear Us: On girlhood and growing up Black in Lambeth

Milk Honey Bees · 2023

This pilot study explored the experiences of 10 Black girls aged 12–18 living and/or attending school in the London Borough of Lambeth, examining how social, political and institutional environments affect their lives across community safety, schooling and mental health. The findings show that Black girls face pervasive racism, adultification and a near-total lack of safe spaces, leaving them feeling unprotected by both the police and school systems. The report calls for intersectional investment in youth services, anti-racist school strategies, and targeted mental health support that centres Black girls' specific needs.

Co-producedFocus groupInterviewLondon

Education, learning and attainment

Life in Scotland for LGBT Young People: Education Report 2023

LGBT Youth Scotland · 2023

This report is a deep-dive into the education findings from LGBT Youth Scotland's Life in Scotland for LGBT Young People 2022 survey, drawing on responses from 1,279 LGBTI young people aged 13–25 in Scotland. It finds that just 10% of participants rated the experience of school as 'Good', over 63% had experienced homophobic or biphobic bullying in school, and fewer than half felt supported as an LGBTI person in education. The report identifies five key themes — supportive staff, inclusive spaces, LGBTI-specific information, policies and guidance, and taking action — and makes targeted recommendations to schools, colleges, universities, and the Scottish Government to improve LGBTI inclusion.

SurveyMixed methodsScotland

Health and physical wellbeing

1,000 Young Voices

StreetGames (with Platypus Research) · 2023

This report by Platypus Research on behalf of StreetGames segments young people aged 11–24 from lower-income households in Great Britain according to their attitudes, motivations, emotions and barriers relating to sport and physical activity. Seven distinct segments are identified, ranging from those held back by low confidence to enthusiastic competitors, with each profile described in detail to guide targeted interventions. Key findings include that one in three of these young people feel limited control over their lives, two in five have felt discriminated against in sporting contexts, and cost is the most commonly cited practical barrier — though psychological barriers such as anxiety and self-consciousness are especially significant for girls and neurodivergent young people. The segments are intended as a practical tool for StreetGames and partners to design more effective, targeted programmes to increase participation.

SurveyFocus groupUK-wide

Employment, skills and economic security

The Long Road to Change: Annual Survey 2023

Young Women's Trust · 2023

Young Women's Trust's 2023 annual survey finds that young women aged 18–30 in England and Wales are experiencing worsening financial hardship, persistent pay inequality, and rising levels of workplace discrimination compared to 2022. Half of young women reported experiencing discrimination at work, up from 42% the previous year, while 56% described their financial situation as uncomfortable. The survey also highlights compounding disadvantages for racially minoritised young women and those who are disabled, neurodivergent, or have mental health conditions. Findings are compared with a parallel survey of HR decision-makers, revealing significant gaps between employer perceptions and young women's lived experiences.

Young people consultedSurveyInterviewEnglandWales

Gender and sexuality

Positive Futures: How Supporting LGBT+ Young People Enables Them To Thrive In Adulthood

Just Like Us · 2023

This report, based on an online survey of 3,695 young adults aged 18–25 across the UK, examines the experiences and outcomes of LGBT+ young people compared with non-LGBT+ peers. It finds that LGBT+ young people face significantly worse mental health, higher rates of bullying, family estrangement, and workplace challenges. Crucially, the level of support received at school and at home during formative years is a decisive factor: those from supportive environments are twice as likely to be happy in adulthood and far more optimistic about their futures. The report makes recommendations for parents, school staff, and employers on how to better support LGBT+ young people.

SurveyUK-wide

Mental health and wellbeing

Girls Attitudes Survey 2023

Girlguiding · 2023

The 2023 Girls' Attitudes Survey tracks how girls' and young women's lives have changed over 15 years across topics including mental health, body image, safety, community, and aspirations. Key findings show girls' happiness has fallen to an all-time low since 2009, with anxiety and worry rising sharply; more girls are experiencing appearance pressures, online harms, and sexist behaviour. Some positives emerge, including greater community participation and more girls speaking out on issues they care about, but many feel let down by society and worried about their future opportunities.

Young people consultedSurveyInterviewUK-wide

Criminal justice and youth violence

Surrey Youth Commission Report on Police and Crime

Leaders Unlocked / Surrey PCC · 2023

The Surrey Youth Commission (SYC), made up of young people aged 14–25, conducted peer-to-peer research with over 1,600 young people across Surrey to explore five priorities: substance misuse and exploitation, violence against women and girls, cybercrime, mental health, and relationships with the police. Key findings include that substance misuse is highly normalised, almost all young women had experienced some form of gender-based violence, cybercrime is widespread and severely under-reported, and many young people face significant barriers to mental health support. The report makes practical recommendations to Surrey Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and the SYC itself to improve services, awareness, and trust between young people and policing.

Co-producedSurveyInterviewSouth East

Criminal justice and youth violence

MOPAC We are London Youth Survey

MOPAC (Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime) · 2023

This large-scale survey of nearly 12,000 young Londoners aged 11–16 explores their views on crime, safety, and policing in the capital. Key findings show that overall opinions of the police have declined since 2018, particularly among young females and young Black Londoners, with trust and perceptions of fairness especially low. The survey also reveals that hate crime is now the most commonly perceived local problem, victimisation rates remain around one in ten, and a small but vulnerable cohort of young people are exposed to multiple overlapping forms of violence, exploitation, and online harm. Experiences of sexual harassment remain prevalent, especially among girls and non-binary young people, while support-seeking levels remain low.

SurveyLondon

Mental health and wellbeing

Young people’s mental health in the workplace

Institute for Employment Studies (IES) · 2023

This report examines the mental health experiences of 2,000 young workers aged 16–25 across the four UK nations, focusing on workplace culture, disclosure practices, and support provision. It finds that nearly half of respondents had a mental health condition or challenge, yet over two-fifths did not disclose this to their employer — mainly due to discomfort or fear of consequences. Only around two-fifths felt their workplace had a supportive culture around mental health, and three in ten had left or planned to leave a job because of its impact on their mental health. Disadvantaged groups — including women, disabled young people, and those in low-paid or part-time roles — consistently reported worse experiences and less access to support.

SurveyUK-wide

Mental health and wellbeing

Prince's Trust NatWest Youth Index 2023

The Prince's Trust · 2023

The 2023 Prince's Trust NatWest Youth Index tracks the happiness and confidence of 16–25 year olds across the UK across a range of life areas. Overall scores have flatlined at a 14-year low, with money confidence returning to its lowest ever level as the cost of living crisis weighs heavily on young people's minds. Financial security and good mental health are the top aspirations for this generation, and most young people see having a stable job as the key to achieving them. Those from poorer backgrounds, those who are NEET, and young women consistently report worse outcomes across all measures.

SurveyUK-wide

Mental health and wellbeing

Deconstructing the System: Young People's Voices on Mental Health, Society and Inequality (14,215 + 13,887 young people surveyed + insight groups with minoritised groups)

YoungMinds · 2023

This YoungMinds report synthesises findings from four datasets — including surveys of over 14,000 and nearly 14,000 young people respectively — to explore how social systems, mental health services, inequality, and global crises affect young people's mental health in the UK. Key findings include that 69% of young people feel negatively impacted by the Government, 70% by the media, and over half said their place of education harms their mental health. Minoritised groups — including Black, LGBTQ+, Muslim, disabled, and refugee young people — consistently experienced greater inequality, discrimination, and barriers to mental health support. The report calls for structural reform across education, mental health services, and public institutions, with young people as active partners in shaping change.

SurveyFocus groupUK-wide

Housing and homelessness

Unaccounted: The scale of youth homelessness in the UK

Centrepoint · 2023

Centrepoint's Youth Homelessness Databank report estimates that 129,000 young people aged 16–24 in the UK presented to their local authority as homeless or at risk of homelessness in 2021/22, a 6% increase on the previous year. England had the highest rate of youth homelessness among the four nations, and for the sixth consecutive year recorded a rise in presentations. The report finds that nearly a third of young people who approached a council in England were not assessed for eligibility, and only 38% achieved a positive outcome. Rural local authorities fared significantly worse than urban ones on both assessment rates and positive outcomes.

Secondary analysisOtherUK-wide

Gender and sexuality

EVAW A Whole School Approach to Ending Violence Against Women & Girls

End Violence Against Women Coalition · 2023

This mapping report by the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) examines the case for a Whole School Approach (WSA) to tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) in England, Scotland and Wales. Drawing on a survey of young people, focus groups, policy documents, and case study models from specialist VAWG organisations, the report finds that despite widespread evidence of sexual harassment in schools, national implementation of a WSA remains elusive due to lack of political will, insufficient funding, inadequate teacher training, and poor-quality RSHE delivery. The report highlights that nearly a third of girls surveyed do not feel safe from sexual harassment in school, and that marginalised groups — including Black, LGBTQ+ and disabled young people — face compounded risks. It makes recommendations to government, local commissioners, schools and inspectors for embedding a properly resourced, gendered and intersectional WSA.

Young people consultedSurveyFocus groupUK-wide

Health and physical wellbeing

Health Report 2023

LGBT Youth Scotland · 2023

This report examines LGBTQ+ young people's experiences of health services in Scotland, drawing on qualitative responses from 1,279 participants in the Life in Scotland for LGBT Young People 2022 survey. Key findings show that young people face significant barriers to healthcare including long waiting lists (particularly for gender identity services), staff lacking understanding of LGBTQ+ identities, experiences of discrimination and misgendering, and difficulties disclosing their identity safely. The report makes concrete recommendations for NHS Boards and the Scottish Government on improving LGBTQ+ inclusivity in mental health, sexual health, and gender identity services.

SurveySecondary analysisScotland

Health and physical wellbeing

Streetgames 1000 Young Voices Youth Insights Summary Report

StreetGames · 2023

StreetGames commissioned Platypus Research to segment young people aged 11–24 from lower-income households by their attitudes and behaviours towards sport and physical activity. The study identified seven distinct segments ranging from highly enthusiastic participants to those who are actively disengaged, revealing that cost, lack of confidence, anxiety, and self-consciousness are the most significant barriers — particularly for girls and neurodivergent young people. Key findings include that two in five young people worry about their family's finances, one in three feel they have limited control over their lives, and around two in five have experienced discrimination when taking part in sport. The report provides actionable segmentation profiles to help StreetGames design targeted interventions to increase participation among under-served young people.

SurveyFocus groupUK-wide

Housing and homelessness

Failure to Act: The scale of youth homelessness in the UK (Databank 2022-23)

Centrepoint · 2023

Centrepoint's Youth Homelessness Databank estimates that 135,800 young people aged 16–24 across the UK presented to their local authority as homeless or at risk of homelessness in 2022/23, a 5% increase on the previous year and the sixth consecutive annual rise. In England, only 65% of presenting young people received an initial assessment and just 33% achieved a positive outcome — the lowest level recorded. The report highlights growing disparities between rural and urban areas, a 40% rise in evictions as a cause of homelessness, and the disproportionate impact of domestic abuse on young women.

Secondary analysisSurveyUK-wide

Criminal justice and youth violence

IOPC Youth Panel National Survey Report

IOPC / Leaders Unlocked · 2022

This youth-led national survey gathered views from 1,957 young people aged 13–25 across England and Wales on their experiences of policing and the police complaints system. It found that while most young people (70%) trust their local police to some degree, 37% said their trust had declined over the past year, largely due to high-profile misconduct cases. Young people expressed low confidence that complaints would make a difference (83%), widespread ignorance of how to complain, and a strong desire for a truly independent complaints channel. The report sets out practical recommendations for policing and the IOPC on rebuilding trust, improving complaints accessibility, and better recognising the needs of young people — particularly young Black women and those with mental health or neurodivergent needs.

Youth-ledSurveyMixed methodsEnglandWales

Gender and sexuality

"Everything is Racialised on Top" Black and Minoritised Girls' and Young Women's Experiences of Public Sexual Harassment in the UK

Plan International UK / University of York · 2022

This qualitative study explores how Black and minoritised girls and young women in England experience public sexual harassment (PSH), finding that their experiences are distinctly shaped by the intersection of racism and sexism. Participants described racialised forms of harassment across online, school and public spaces, including oversexualisation, exoticisation and faith-based targeting. The research also reveals significant barriers to reporting PSH, including mistrust of the police, victim-blaming within families and communities, and institutional inaction in schools. Girls and young women call for systemic and cultural change, improved education — including anti-racist relationships and sex education — and better reporting systems.

Co-producedInterviewFocus groupEngland

Employment, skills and economic security

Just Getting By: Annual Survey 2022 (4,075 Young Women + 1,040 Young Men + 911 HR DMs)

Young Women's Trust · 2022

Young Women's Trust's 2022 annual survey of over 4,000 young women aged 18–30 in England and Wales finds they are significantly more financially vulnerable than their male peers, with rising debt, food insecurity, and cost-of-living pressures hitting hardest those with caring responsibilities. Young women continue to face barriers to employment and progression, persistent gender pay gaps, and widespread workplace discrimination on grounds of age, gender, race, and caring responsibilities. Despite this, 62% remain optimistic about reaching their career goals. The report calls on government and employers to act on flexible working rights, pay transparency, childcare investment, and stronger equality protections.

Young people consultedSurveyMixed methodsEnglandWales

Results