Research reports · CYV Evidence Library

Care experience and family

Growing Up in Kinship Care: Experiences as Adolescents and Outcomes in Young Adulthood

Grandparents Plus · 2017

This report examines the experiences and outcomes of 53 young people aged 16–26 who grew up in kinship care (with extended family or friends) in England. It explores their relationships with carers, parents and siblings, their emotional and physical health, educational attainment, employment, and transitions to independence. Key findings include that most kinship placements were stable and long-lasting, that young people faced significant adversity prior to entering kinship care, and that outcomes were broadly better than for care leavers but that support from Children's Services was inconsistent and often inadequate — particularly for those without looked-after status.

InterviewMixed methodsEngland

Gender and sexuality

School Report Scotland (2017)

Stonewall Scotland · 2017

This report surveys 402 LGBT young people aged 11–19 living in Scotland about their experiences in secondary schools and colleges. It finds that half of LGBT pupils are bullied for being LGBT at school, with trans young people at particular risk (71% bullied overall). Rates of self-harm and suicidal ideation are alarmingly high, especially among trans young people. The report compares findings with a 2012 baseline, notes some improvements in school policies, and makes recommendations for schools, local authorities, and the Scottish Government to create more inclusive environments.

SurveyScotland

Gender and sexuality

School Report Cymru (2017)

Stonewall Cymru · 2017

This report surveys 267 LGBT young people aged 11–19 living in Wales about their experiences in secondary schools and colleges. It finds that more than half are bullied for being LGBT, three in five are never taught anything about LGBT issues, and rates of self-harm and suicidal ideation are alarmingly high — particularly among trans pupils. The report calls on schools, local authorities, and the Welsh Government to introduce inclusive curricula, mandatory staff training, and improved mental health support for LGBT young people.

SurveyWales

Care experience and family

Still Hidden, Still Ignored: Who Cares for Young Carers?

Barnardo's · 2017

This Barnardo's report examines how well young carers in England are being identified and supported, ten years after Barnardo's first investigated the issue. Drawing on surveys of over 800 teachers, 79 young carers, and 40+ Barnardo's practitioners, as well as focus groups, the report finds that while legislation has improved identification, funding has not kept pace with increased referrals, and many young carers continue to miss school, suffer poor mental health, and sacrifice educational and employment opportunities. The report makes 34 recommendations to government, local authorities, schools, and health services to improve identification, support pathways, and reduce the caring burden on young people.

SurveyInterviewEngland

Mental health and wellbeing

Our Lives, Our Care: Looked after children's views on their well-being (Selwyn & Briheim-Crookall 2017)

Coram Voice / University of Bristol Hadley Centre / Hadley Trust / DfE / Welsh Government · 2017

This report presents findings from 611 looked after children and young people aged 4–18 who completed the 'Your Life, Your Care' subjective well-being survey across six local authority areas in England. The majority reported moderate well-being and felt that being in care had improved their lives, with higher proportions feeling safe and enjoying school than children in the general population. However, a significant minority — around 14% overall and nearly one in five secondary-aged young people — had low well-being scores, with girls, those lacking a trusted adult, and those unhappy with their appearance particularly at risk. The report makes eight recommendations for policy and practice, including regularly measuring looked after children's well-being, improving social worker stability, and ensuring children are involved in decisions about their care.

SurveyFocus groupEngland

Mental health and wellbeing

Just Health: an enquiry into the emotional health and wellbeing of young people in the youth justice system

Peer Power · 2016

This report presents findings from a consultation with young people aged 13–18 who had been in contact with the youth justice system in London, exploring their experiences of Liaison & Diversion (L&D) services and emotional health and wellbeing support. Key findings include that most young people could not recall being screened by L&D services, that relationships with professionals were perceived as lacking empathy and consistency, and that young people held strongly negative views of the police. The report recommends redesigning L&D services with young people's involvement, investing in empathy training for professionals, and adopting peer mentoring approaches to build trusted relationships.

Focus groupInterviewLondon

Mental health and wellbeing

The Well-Being of Supported Young People in Scotland

SCRA · 2015

SCRA developed and piloted a subjective well-being survey with 164 supported young people aged 10–17 across Scotland, assessing their views across the SHANARRI well-being indicators (Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible, Included). Results were largely positive on individual indicators — for example, 96% felt safe at home and 92% felt their carers listen to them — but responses to broader life-satisfaction questions were less positive, suggesting supported young people may not feel as satisfied with their overall lives as their peers. The report concludes that this survey methodology can be used at local and national levels by corporate parents and the Scottish Government to assess and report on the well-being of supported children and young people.

Co-producedSurveyFocus groupScotland

Care experience and family

Our Life in Care: CASI survey of children and young people in care (young people's report)

VOYPIC (Voice of Young People in Care, NI) · 2012

This is a young people's report summarising the findings of VOYPIC's 2012 'Our Life in Care' computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) survey of children and young people in care in Northern Ireland. 156 participants aged 8–18 shared their views on placement, family contact, health, education, care plans, and having a say in decisions. Key findings include that while most feel safe and have good friends, many lack knowledge of their care plans, struggle to maintain family contact, and feel they are not listened to or involved in decisions about their futures. The report was written by young people who took part in the survey.

Youth-ledSurveyNorthern Ireland