Research reports

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

Education, learning and attainment

Social Mobility: The Next Generation – Lost Potential at Age 16

Sutton Trust · 2023

This report examines the educational trajectories of socio-economically disadvantaged young people who were high attainers at the end of primary school, comparing their progress to equally high-attaining but more affluent peers. It finds that disadvantaged high attainers have GCSE grades on average more than three-quarters of a grade lower per subject than other high attainers, and are almost twice as likely to fall out of the top third of attainment by Key Stage 4. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities, with disadvantaged high attainers more likely to lack suitable devices and study spaces during lockdowns, and more likely to feel they had fallen behind. The report calls for a national strategy to close attainment gaps, extended Pupil Premium funding to post-16 learners, and improved use of contextual admissions by universities.

SurveySecondary analysisEngland

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

Mental health and wellbeing

The Life of a Top Boy: On Trauma and Violence in the Community

Juvenis · 2023

This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of eight young Black men (aged 19–32) in London who were exposed to gang-affiliated violence, focusing on how they make sense of trauma and PTSD. Participants described the normalisation of violence in their communities, hypervigilant coping behaviours, interactions with the police as a traumatic stressor, and the socioeconomic factors that shaped their exposure to danger. The research finds that existing PTSD frameworks fail to capture the chronic, ongoing nature of trauma faced by this population, and that mental health services are poorly equipped to meet their needs. Recommendations are made for mental health professionals, statutory services, and future research to better recognise and respond to trauma among gang-affiliated Black men.

Co-producedInterviewLondon

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

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

Health and physical wellbeing

Young People's Right to Food Young people's experiences of accessing food, and recommendations for improvements within Scotlands food system

Scottish Youth Parliament · 2023

This report by the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) presents findings from a survey of 846 young people aged 12–26 across Scotland about their experiences of accessing food. Key findings show that around 7–9% of respondents struggled to afford food, nearly half perceived stigma around asking for food help, and only two-fifths knew about local food support available to them. The report makes five recommendations, including extending free school meals to all secondary pupils, involving young people in school meal decision-making, and eliminating stigma around food support.

Co-producedSurveyScotland

Civic participation and youth voice

Voices of the Future: Peer Research into Widening Access to Youth Services (Young Londoners Research Programme, 9 funded peer research groups)

Partnership for Young London · 2023

Nine groups of young Londoners aged 14–25 designed and led their own peer research projects exploring barriers to accessing youth services in their communities. Over 700 young people were consulted across surveys, interviews, focus groups, and creative workshops. Key barriers identified included safety concerns when travelling to youth spaces, poor awareness of available services, inadequate mental health support, and lack of culturally relevant provision. The report makes recommendations for funders, commissioners, and youth service providers across London to improve access for less-heard groups including care-experienced young people and those with autism or SEMH needs.

Youth-ledSurveyInterviewLondon

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

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

Education, learning and attainment

Young Persons' Money Index 2021-22: examining the delivery of financial education in schools and the financial capability of young people in the UK

London Institute of Banking and Finance · 2022

This annual survey of over 2,000 UK secondary school students aged 15–18 tracks access to financial education and young people's financial capability. Key findings show that anxiety about money has reached a record high of 81%, with two-thirds attributing increased anxiety to Covid-19. While access to financial education in schools has improved (73% report some access, up from 64%), dedicated personal finance lessons remain rare, and young people's tested knowledge of financial concepts has deteriorated compared to the previous year. The vast majority (72%) say they want more financial education in school.

SurveyUK-wide

Employment, skills and economic security

Work Experience For All: exploring the impacts of work experience on young people's outcomes

Speakers for Schools · 2022

This report by Speakers for Schools analyses the impact of work experience on employment outcomes for young British adults aged 18–30. Using a YouGov survey of 2,098 respondents, it finds that participation in work experience is associated with a 3.4% higher average wage per additional type of experience and reduces the probability of becoming NEET from 11% to 7%. The report also reveals significant inequalities in access: pupils from independent schools were twice as likely to have had multiple work placements compared to state-educated peers, and access varied by socio-economic background, region, and ethnicity. The findings are used to make the case for universal access to quality work experience as a tool for improving social mobility.

SurveySecondary analysisUK-wide

Employment, skills and economic security

Proving the value of virtual work experience: an analysis of the post-placement video feedback from young people

Speakers for Schools · 2022

This report analyses video feedback from 202 young people who completed virtual work experience placements through Speakers for Schools to assess the value of online placements. Key findings show that virtual work experience helps young people gain career insights, develop essential skills such as teamwork and communication, and build self-efficacy and confidence. Around 60% of participants said virtual placements helped them learn about different careers and employers, and 43% reported a boost in confidence. The report argues that virtual work experience can deliver many of the same benefits as in-person placements and should be considered a valued part of careers education.

OtherSecondary analysisUK-wide

Criminal justice and youth violence

North West Westminster Serious Youth Violence Consultation Research Report, April–June 2021

Young Westminster Foundation · 2022

This consultation research examined serious youth violence in North West Westminster through surveys with 203 adults and parents, and focus groups with young people aged 16–25. Young people reported living in a state of constant fear, navigating complex territorial rules, and feeling little trust in the police — instead relying heavily on youth clubs for safety and support. The report finds that poverty, lack of opportunities, and insufficient youth provision are key drivers of violence, and recommends investment in youth services, employment pathways, and community-wide coordinated support.

SurveyFocus groupLondon

Mental health and wellbeing

How is the current cost of living affecting you? Survey results, December 2022

Young Scot · 2022

Young Scot surveyed 1,045 young people aged 11–25 across all Scottish local authority areas in autumn 2022 to understand the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on their daily lives, health, and finances. The findings reveal widespread negative effects: 80% had changed how they used heating, 50% reported poor mental health linked to the crisis, and over 70% were worried about their parents or carers. Young people described cutting back on food, socialising, and activities, and many were contributing more to household finances.

SurveyMixed methodsScotland

Mental health and wellbeing

A Friend in Need: young people are showing they care more than ever

Co-op Foundation · 2022

This report presents findings from a UK-wide survey of 2,000 young people aged 10–25, exploring levels, causes and impacts of youth loneliness in 2022. It finds that 95% of young people feel lonely at some point, with 16–25-year-olds three times more likely to be chronically lonely than 10–15-year-olds. Despite increasing stigma and a slight decline in young people seeking help for themselves, 83% have taken action to help peers who may be lonely. The report highlights the cost of living crisis, digital access gaps, and rural stigma as factors shaping young people's experiences of loneliness.

SurveyUK-wide

Employment, skills and economic security

Youth Voice Census Report 2022

Youth Employment UK · 2022

The 2022 Youth Voice Census surveyed 4,083 young people aged 11–30 in England about their experiences of education, employment, and life in their local area. Key findings highlight an escalating mental health crisis, with anxiety a leading barrier to work and education; widespread feelings of unpreparedness for employment; and persistent inequalities for young people with protected characteristics, care experience, and those eligible for free school meals. The report also documents declining confidence in job application skills and ongoing disruption to careers education and work experience stemming from COVID-19.

SurveyInterviewEngland

Mental health and wellbeing

Generation Isolation 2022

OnSide Youth Zones · 2022

This report presents findings from a survey of over 5,000 young people aged 11–18 in England about how they spend their time outside school, their social connections, and their awareness of youth services. Key findings show that 77% of young people spend most of their free time at home, 41% lack opportunities to meet new people, and 56% report high or very high levels of anxiety. The report also finds that while youth centres have a strongly positive impact on attendees' lives — particularly in enabling friendships and building confidence — only 8% of young people currently attend one.

SurveyEngland

Care experience and family

It's harder than anyone understands (Young Carer Survey 2022)

Carers Trust · 2022

This Carers Trust survey of 571 young carers and young adult carers aged 12–25 across the UK found that large proportions regularly feel worried, stressed and lonely as a result of their caring role, with more than half reporting their caring hours had increased in the past year. Around two-thirds felt their school, college or university did not fully understand their situation, and many struggled to balance caring with education and paid work. The report calls on UK and devolved governments to improve access to breaks, mental health support, financial assistance and flexible working arrangements for young carers and young adult carers.

SurveyUK-wide

Mental health and wellbeing

18 months lost and found: Reflections from a transnational participatory action research project exploring young people’s lived experiences of the COVID-19 crisis

Ecorys UK · 2022

This transnational participatory action research project engaged 70 young people aged 14–19 from the UK, Italy, Lebanon, and Singapore as co-researchers over 18 months (April 2020–November 2021) to document their lived experiences of the COVID-19 crisis. Young people reported significant educational disruption, worsening mental health, and a sense of political marginalisation, but also found unexpected opportunities for personal growth, community action, and democratic engagement. The project highlights young people's agency and resourcefulness during the pandemic, challenging media narratives that portrayed them as reckless or passive. Recommendations address governments, schools, media, and young people themselves on improving participation, mental health support, digital access, and educational accountability.

Co-producedParticipatoryLongitudinalUK-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

Identity, belonging and community

Life in Scotland for LGBT+ Young People

LGBT Youth Scotland · 2022

This large-scale survey of 1,279 LGBTI young people in Scotland tracks how life has changed over 15 years across areas including community, safety, health, education, work, and living situation. Key findings show a significant decline in wellbeing since 2017: fewer young people feel happy with their life as an LGBTI person in Scotland (down from 57% to 37%), confidence in reporting hate crime to police has fallen sharply, and the majority do not feel accurately represented in the media. While some improvements were recorded — such as more supportive coming-out experiences and fewer young people leaving home in negative circumstances — the overall picture shows that life for LGBTI young people in Scotland has worsened in many respects since the last survey in 2017.

Young people consultedSurveyMixed methodsScotland

Criminal justice and youth violence

Lancashire Youth Commission: Final Report to the Police and Crime Commissioner & the Violence Reduction Unit

Lancashire Youth Commission / Leaders Unlocked · 2022

The Lancashire Youth Commission (LYC), a peer-led project of 32 young people aged 14–25, engaged over 2,400 young people across Lancashire on six priority topics: mental health, hate crime, social media and online crime, abusive relationships, drugs and alcohol, and relationships with the police. Young people reported feeling unheard and unsupported by both police and education settings across all themes, with particular concerns about stigma around mental health, under-reporting of hate crimes and abuse, and the ease of accessing drugs via social media. The report makes detailed recommendations to Lancashire Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and the Violence Reduction Network on improving services, education, and trust with young people.

Co-producedSurveyInterviewNorth West

Housing and homelessness

Beyond a Number: the scale of youth homelessness in the UK

Centrepoint · 2022

This report from Centrepoint's Youth Homelessness Databank estimates that almost 122,000 young people aged 16–24 presented to their local authority as homeless or at risk of homelessness in 2020/21 — the fifth consecutive year-on-year increase. It finds that in England only 66% of those who presented received a full assessment (down from 79% in 2018/19), and just 37% achieved a positive outcome. The report also examines regional variation, the impact of COVID-19 on access to services, and the causes of youth homelessness, with family breakdown and domestic abuse being the leading drivers.

Secondary analysisInterviewUK-wide

Results