Research reports

Mental health and wellbeing

LockdownLowdown: long-term impacts of COVID-19 on young people in Scotland

Young Scot / Scottish Youth Parliament / YouthLink Scotland · 2020

This report presents findings from the second #LockdownLowdown survey, conducted in autumn 2020 with over 6,000 young people across Scotland, exploring the long-term impacts of COVID-19. Key findings show that while most young people had returned to in-person learning, significant concerns remained around exam uncertainty, online learning difficulties, and falling behind. Mental health emerged as a major issue, with nearly two-fifths of respondents reporting poor mental wellbeing, alongside worries about employment prospects, relationships, and access to clear and trusted information about restrictions.

SurveyFocus groupScotland

Mental health and wellbeing

Out of Sight? Vulnerable Young People: COVID-19 Response

National Youth Agency · 2020

This report from the National Youth Agency maps the scale and nature of vulnerabilities among young people in England that have been amplified or triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on data from the Children's Commissioner for England and a review of sector reports, it estimates that over one million young people have known needs exacerbated by the crisis, with a further two million facing emerging needs. The report identifies seven key vulnerability profiles — including poor mental health, homelessness, domestic abuse, and digital exclusion — and calls for government to classify youth services as an essential key service, deploy youth workers alongside schools and police, and invest in training and up-skilling to meet escalating need.

Secondary analysisOtherEngland

Education, learning and attainment

Education transitions for refugee and asylum-seeking young people in the UK

Refugee Education UK (for Unicef UK) · 2020

This report examines the barriers and enablers refugee and asylum-seeking young people face when transitioning to further and higher education in the UK. Drawing on focus groups, interviews, and analysis of casework data from over 500 young people and practitioners, it finds that immigration status, age, poor mental health, poverty, and insufficient information and guidance are the most significant obstacles. Holistic, long-term support from individuals and institutions — including voluntary sector workers, schools, colleges, and universities — is shown to be critical in enabling progression. The report makes recommendations for government, education institutions, and the voluntary and private sectors.

Young people consultedInterviewFocus groupEngland

Mental health and wellbeing

Coronavirus and Me (national survey of children and young people in Wales)

Children's Commissioner for Wales · 2020

This report presents findings from the 'Coronavirus and Me' survey, focusing specifically on 4,417 young people aged 15–18 in Wales who responded during May 2020. It explores how COVID-19 restrictions affected their mental health and wellbeing, education, social lives, and future prospects, including the cancellation of exams. Key findings include that 71% cited not seeing friends as the biggest impact, 51% felt unmotivated to study at home, and many reported worsening emotional wellbeing and anxiety about their futures. The report makes recommendations to Welsh Government and educational settings on supporting young people's rights to information, education, wellbeing, and family life.

SurveySecondary analysisWales

Employment, skills and economic security

Youth Voice Census Report 2020

Youth Employment UK · 2020

The 2020 Youth Voice Census surveyed 1,390 young people aged 14–24 across the UK about their experiences of careers education, work experience, employability skills, and barriers to employment. Key findings show that work experience in secondary schools is increasing but remains unequal: young people's access to careers information and support varies significantly by gender, ethnicity, eligibility for free school meals, and additional needs. Confidence in finding quality work is low and declining, while wellbeing concerns in the workplace are rising. Young people in apprenticeships reported the most positive outcomes, and one-to-one careers guidance was consistently identified as the most valued form of support.

SurveyFocus groupUK-wide

Employment, skills and economic security

Youth Jobs Gap: The Employment Gap in London

Impetus (with CVER/NIESR) · 2020

This report uses Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data to examine NEET rates, higher education access, and apprenticeship take-up for young people across all 32 London boroughs, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people. It finds that while London has the smallest employment gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged young people of any English region, this headline masks substantial variation between local authorities — for example, NEET rates for disadvantaged young people range from 17% in Hounslow to 28% in Lewisham. Doubly disadvantaged young people (those from disadvantaged backgrounds with low qualifications) face the worst outcomes and are consistently overrepresented in the NEET group. The report argues that local and sub-regional policymakers need granular, borough-level data to design effective employment and skills support.

Secondary analysisLondon

Mental health and wellbeing

LockdownLowdown: what young people in Scotland are thinking about COVID-19 (phase 1)

Scottish Youth Parliament / YouthLink Scotland / Young Scot · 2020

This survey of 2,421 young people across Scotland captured their concerns about COVID-19 during the first national lockdown in April 2020. Key findings show that nearly two-thirds were moderately or extremely concerned about the impact of coronavirus on their future, and around two-fifths were concerned about their own mental wellbeing. Young people reported least confidence in accessing information about mental health support and financial support, and over half expressed concern about their ability to access their rights. The findings were shared with stakeholders to feed into policy design and service provision.

SurveyScotland

Mental health and wellbeing

Our Voices Aren't in Lockdown

Northern Ireland Youth Forum · 2020

The Northern Ireland Youth Forum (NIYF) surveyed over 1,000 young people across Northern Ireland at two points during the COVID-19 pandemic (entering and exiting lockdown in 2020) to capture their views, feelings and concerns. Key findings show that young people's top concerns were mental health, boredom, education and isolation, with 80% feeling decision-makers were not listening to them. The report calls for a dedicated youth press conference, a Northern Ireland Youth Assembly, clearer youth-targeted information, and improved mental health provision in schools.

SurveyFocus groupNorthern Ireland

Mental health and wellbeing

Our Voices Coming Out of Lockdown

Northern Ireland Youth Forum · 2020

The Northern Ireland Youth Forum (NIYF) ran two surveys during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, gathering 1,065 responses from young people across Northern Ireland. The research found that young people's key concerns included mental health, boredom, isolation, and education, with post-lockdown worries shifting to socialising, adjusting to new measures, and health and wellbeing. A striking finding was that 72.5% of respondents felt their voice had not been considered important, and 80% felt decision-makers were not listening to them. Despite widespread anxiety, many young people also expressed hope and a desire to contribute to their communities during the crisis.

SurveyNorthern Ireland

Care experience and family

Impact of COVID-19 on Care Experienced People

Who Cares? Scotland · 2020

This report by Who Cares? Scotland presents a second wave of analysis of how the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures impacted care-experienced people in Scotland between March and May 2020. Drawing on data from a helpline, advocacy cases, and participation activities, the report finds that care-experienced people faced compounding challenges including financial hardship and destitution, deteriorating mental health, digital exclusion, disrupted care placements, and reduced professional support. The report makes concrete calls to action to the Scottish Government across five thematic areas: poverty, health and wellbeing, information and participation, provision of care, and support.

OtherCase studyScotland

Mental health and wellbeing

Samaritans Pushed from Pillar to Post: Young Men's Mental Health

Samaritans · 2020

This Samaritans report examines the experiences of people in England with lived experience of non-suicidal self-harm, mapping the support they sought and how useful they found it. It finds that people who self-harm face significant barriers across the entire spectrum of care — being deemed too high-risk for some services while not meeting the threshold for others — leaving many without effective support. Key findings include that mental health services rarely address self-harm directly, GPs frequently fail to offer follow-up or referrals, and no single support type consistently meets people's needs. The report makes thirteen recommendations spanning NHS services, GP training, school and university provision, online safety, and voluntary sector funding.

SurveyInterviewEngland

Care experience and family

Navigating the World of Rights: Views from Our Care-Experienced Membership

Who Cares? Scotland · 2020

This report presents findings from Who Cares? Scotland's first Annual Participation Programme theme on Child and Human Rights, drawing on views from their Care Experienced membership. The research found that Care Experienced people face significant barriers to understanding and accessing their rights, and that existing complaints and redress mechanisms are often inaccessible or inadequate. Members strongly supported lifelong rights protections for Care Experienced people, independent advocacy, and child-friendly routes to challenging rights breaches. The report makes recommendations to the Scottish Government around rights education, professional training, and accountability mechanisms for rights compliance.

Co-producedSurveyFocus groupScotland

Education, learning and attainment

"Free Transport Means Everything to Me": Impact of Suspending Free Travel on Under-18s (2,000 young Londoners surveyed)

Partnership for Young London · 2020

This report by Partnership for Young London presents findings from a survey of over 2,000 young Londoners aged 16–18 about the proposed suspension of free travel for under-18s. An overwhelming 95.5% of respondents disapproved of the plans, and 97.8% said free transport was important or very important to them. The report finds that losing free travel would significantly affect young people's access to education, with 43.8% saying it would change which school or college they attend, and would disproportionately impact Black, South Asian, and Asian young people, as well as those with care experience. Many young people also expressed concern about the effects on family finances and their own mental health and safety.

SurveyLondon

Gender and sexuality

The State of Girls' Rights in the UK 2019-2020

Plan International UK · 2020

This comprehensive UK-wide report examines girls' rights across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, drawing on participatory research with girls aged 10–25 alongside practitioner interviews, surveys, a human rights review, and a local authority index. Girls report persistent experiences of sexual harassment, gender inequality in schools, rising mental health pressures, racism, and lack of representation in public life. The report finds substantial regional variation in girls' rights outcomes, with Blackpool ranked lowest and Orkney Islands highest, and calls on government to tackle structural barriers, invest in girls' services, and ensure no girls are left behind.

Focus groupInterviewUK-wide

Mental health and wellbeing

Shaping Our Future The Jack Petchey COVID-19 Youth-Survey Report

Jack Petchey Foundation · 2020

A survey of over 6,000 young people aged 11–25 from London and Essex explored their experiences of the COVID-19 lockdown and their hopes for the future. Key findings show that three-quarters missed school, over half were more worried about their mental health, and almost two-thirds were more concerned about future job prospects. Young people prioritised more training, work experience, mental health support, and volunteering opportunities as the things most likely to help them thrive post-pandemic.

Co-producedSurveyLondon

Education, learning and attainment

Young Persons' Money Index 2019: examining the delivery of financial education in schools and the financial capability of young people in the UK

London Institute of Banking and Finance · 2019

This annual survey of over 2,000 UK secondary school pupils aged 15–18 tracks access to financial education in schools and young people's financial knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. Five years after financial education was added to the national curriculum, 64% of students report having access (up from 29% in 2015), but most receive it through other subjects rather than dedicated lessons, and only 18% had a lesson in the last month. The majority (69%) worry about money, 86% say they get most of their financial understanding from parents or self-learning rather than school, and significant gaps in knowledge around credit, interest and debt remain. Most young people want more financial education in school, with 60% preferring it as a separate subject.

SurveyUK-wide

Mental health and wellbeing

Girls' Attitudes Survey 2019

Girlguiding · 2019

Girlguiding's annual survey of over 2,000 girls and young women aged 7–21 across the UK explores their attitudes on environmental action, access to play and sport, life online and media pressures, bullying, and skills and education. Key findings include that 88% feel it is urgent to do more to protect the environment, 79% have experienced bullying or unacceptable behaviours, and 64% of those aged 11–21 feel there is too much pressure on exam performance. Only 21% of girls say they receive the support they need to manage exam-related stress, and many face barriers to safe outdoor spaces and equitable careers advice.

Co-producedSurveyInterviewUK-wide

Employment, skills and economic security

Youth Voice Census Report 2019

Youth Employment UK · 2019

The 2019 Youth Voice Census, conducted by Youth Employment UK, surveyed 3,008 young people aged 14–24 about their experiences of careers education, work experience, employability support, and confidence in transitioning to work. Key findings show that apprenticeship awareness has grown significantly, but young people still receive inconsistent careers guidance and feel unsupported in navigating their options as individuals. The report highlights persistent gender inequalities in the careers interactions young people receive, with young women less likely to be offered vocational or employer-based opportunities. Mental health, location, and lack of experience remain the most commonly cited barriers to employment.

Young people consultedSurveyFocus groupUK-wide

Employment, skills and economic security

Youth Jobs Gap: The long-term NEET population

Impetus (with CVER/NIESR) · 2019

This report by Impetus uses Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) administrative data to examine the characteristics of young people aged 18–24 who are NEET for 12 consecutive months in England. It finds that 75% of young people who are NEET for three months go on to be NEET for a full year, demonstrating that NEET status is highly "sticky." Disadvantaged young people (those eligible for free school meals) are twice as likely to be long-term NEET as their better-off peers, and those who are both disadvantaged and lack good GCSEs are particularly at risk. The report argues for a three-pronged strategy: preventing young people from becoming NEET, helping them move back into education or employment quickly, and providing intensive support for those with complex barriers.

Secondary analysisEngland

Employment, skills and economic security

Youth Jobs Gap: The Employment Gap in the North West

Impetus (with CVER/NIESR) · 2019

This report uses new Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data to examine NEET rates, access to higher education, and apprenticeship take-up for young people in the North West of England, broken down by local authority area. It finds that the North West's employment gap — the difference in NEET rates between disadvantaged young people and their better-off peers — is consistently around 2 percentage points higher than the national average, driven by higher NEET rates for disadvantaged and low-qualified young people. The analysis reveals stark within-region variation: for example, the NEET rate in Manchester is roughly twice that of Trafford. The "doubly disadvantaged" group — those from disadvantaged backgrounds with low qualifications — are found to be the main driver of the region's higher NEET rate and are most at risk of being locked out of education, employment and training.

Secondary analysisNorth West

Employment, skills and economic security

Youth Jobs Gap: Establishing the Employment Gap

Impetus (with CVER/NIESR) · 2019

Using the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) administrative dataset, this briefing establishes for the first time a measurable "employment gap" between disadvantaged young people and their better-off peers in England: 26% of disadvantaged 18–24 year olds were NEET in March 2017, compared to 13% of non-disadvantaged peers. The gap is consistent across time, cohorts, and all English regions, with the North East showing the worst outcomes and London the smallest gap. Crucially, only half of the gap can be explained by differences in qualification levels, meaning that socioeconomic disadvantage independently drives NEET risk above and beyond educational attainment.

Secondary analysisEngland

Arts, culture and creativity

The Sound of the Next Generation (2019): A Comprehensive Review of Children and Young People's Relationship with Music

Youth Music · 2019

This report by Youth Music and Ipsos MORI examines how children and young people in England aged 7–17 engage with music — as listeners, creators, and learners. It finds that music is young people's favourite pastime, that two-thirds actively make music, and that participation has increased since a 2006 benchmark survey. Key findings include a decline in secondary school music, significant wellbeing benefits from music-making, and disparities in formal music education access linked to socioeconomic background. The report calls on policymakers, educators, and the music industry to collaborate more closely and make music education more inclusive and industry-relevant.

SurveyInterviewEngland

Care experience and family

‘Being a student with care experience is very daunting’ Findings from a survey of care experienced students in Scottish colleges and universities

CELCIS · 2019

This is the first Scotland-wide survey of care experienced students in colleges and universities, commissioned by the Scottish Funding Council and conducted by CELCIS. It found that while many students reported positive experiences, significant barriers remain around financial support, accommodation instability, social isolation, and the complexity of declaring care experience. Students with disabilities were disproportionately represented and faced compounded challenges across all dimensions of their studies. The report makes 18 recommendations covering application support, financial aid, year-round accommodation, and dedicated pastoral services.

SurveyFocus groupScotland

Criminal justice and youth violence

Harnessing Lived Experience: Youth-Led Consultation on Serious Violence

UK Youth / National Lottery Community Fund · 2019

This report presents findings from a pilot youth-led consultation exploring young people's views on the causes of, and solutions to, serious violence in England. Using peer-to-peer active listening workshops, causal loop mapping, and a rapid evidence assessment, 123 young people aged 13–23 with lived experience of serious violence participated across six locations. Young people identified social division, financial hardship, online conflict escalation, substance use, and gang formation as key drivers of violence — factors often framed differently from existing research. The pilot found that high-quality education, involvement in positive activities, and mentoring were the interventions most supported by young people, while also highlighting a significant disconnect between policy language and the way young people describe their experiences.

Co-producedFocus groupSecondary analysisEnglandWest MidlandsSouth WestLondonYorkshire & the HumberNorth East

Results