Research reports · CYV Evidence Library

Education, learning and attainment

Young Persons' Money Index 2018: examining the delivery of financial education in schools and the financial capability of young people in the UK

London Institute of Banking and Finance · 2018

This annual UK-wide survey of over 2,000 young people aged 15–18 tracks financial education delivery in schools and young people's financial capability. While the proportion receiving financial education in school rose to 62% in 2018 (up from 44% in 2017), overall financial capability has not improved, with most students unable to answer basic financial knowledge questions. Young people continue to rely heavily on parents for financial guidance, and there has been a significant rise in exposure to scams and fraud. The report calls for more dedicated, mandatory time for financial education in schools with a focus on practical money management skills.

SurveyUK-wide

Mental health and wellbeing

Girls' Attitudes Survey 2018

Girlguiding · 2018

Girlguiding's tenth annual Girls' Attitudes Survey tracked how the views and experiences of girls and young women in the UK have changed over a decade. Key findings include a near-halving of the proportion saying they are "very happy" since 2009, rising mental health concerns, persistent appearance pressures amplified by visual social media, and continued barriers to girls' leadership aspirations and political engagement. The survey also highlights positive trends, including more girls identifying as feminist, greater willingness to report online harassment, and increased enjoyment of STEM subjects among younger girls.

SurveyInterviewUK-wide

Employment, skills and economic security

Youth Voice Census Report 2018

Youth Employment UK · 2018

This survey of 1,498 young people aged 14–25 across the UK examines their experiences of careers education, work experience, and transitions from education into employment. Key findings show that young women receive significantly less careers support than young men at every stage of education, are less likely to have work experience, and report lower confidence in progressing into employment. The report also highlights that academic routes are consistently promoted over vocational and apprenticeship pathways, and that young people want more personalised careers support rather than generic advice.

SurveyUK-wide

Criminal justice and youth violence

The Violence Virus: A Community Response to Reducing Youth Violence in London

Juvenis / London Community Foundation · 2018

This report by the London Community Foundation examines the role of community-based organisations in tackling rising youth violence in London. Drawing on interviews with grassroots charities, frontline practitioners, youth workers, ex-offenders and politicians, it finds that community organisations are uniquely placed to provide prevention, crisis intervention and rehabilitation support. The report argues that these organisations' trust, local knowledge and lived experience make them essential partners in any long-term strategy, but that they are under-resourced and often excluded from strategic decision-making. It calls for a multi-agency public health approach that places community voices at the centre of policy responses to youth violence.

InterviewLondon

Employment, skills and economic security

Hidden in Plain Sight: Young Londoners Unemployed Yet Unsupported

London Youth · 2018

This report investigates young Londoners aged 18–25 who are out of work, not in education or training, and not claiming benefits — a group termed 'hidden' within NEET statistics. Drawing on programme data, workshops, interviews, and economic analysis, the research finds that hidden young people are a highly diverse group whose situations are shaped by poor careers advice, complex family circumstances, stigma around benefits, precarious work, and mental health challenges. The report estimates there are around 480,000 hidden young people in the UK annually, and that supporting them into sustained employment could return up to £460 million per year to the Exchequer. Six recommendations are made covering data transparency, access to statutory support, specialist funding, careers guidance, family involvement, and holistic employability provision.

SurveyInterviewLondon

Education, learning and attainment

Home and Away: Student Mobility

Sutton Trust · 2018

This report analyses patterns of student mobility in UK higher education, examining who leaves home for university and how far they travel, using data on all students entering university in 2009-10 and 2014-15. It finds that the majority of young people stay local for university (within 57 miles of home), and that moving long distances to attend university is strongly associated with being white, middle-class, and privately educated. British Pakistani and British Bangladeshi students are over six times more likely than white students to stay living at home and study locally, a trend reinforced by the 2012 tuition fee increase. The report recommends reforms to student finance, more flexible university outreach, and specific support for commuter students.

Secondary analysisOtherUK-wide

Care experience and family

The Next Chapter: Young People and Parenthood

Action for Children (with University of Bath IPR) · 2017

This report by Action for Children examines the experiences of young parents aged 25 and under in England, drawing on secondary analysis of the Next Steps longitudinal dataset and focus groups. It finds that young parents face significantly worse outcomes than their peers across education, employment, and mental health — for example, only 11% have attended university compared to 45% of non-parents, and nearly 40% report struggling financially. The report makes 17 recommendations covering childcare funding, welfare support, mental health services, and access to dedicated support groups, arguing that policy attention must extend beyond teenage parents to those aged 20–25.

Secondary analysisFocus groupEngland

Education, learning and attainment

Young Persons' Money Index 2017: examining the financial capability of young people in the UK

London Institute of Banking and Finance · 2017

The Young Persons' Money Index 2017 surveyed 2,018 young people aged 15–18 in the UK to assess their financial capability, confidence, and access to financial education. The report finds that more young people than ever are receiving financial education in school (44%), but delivery remains inconsistent — with gender, geography, and social grade all affecting access and outcomes. Young people tend to overestimate their future earnings and underestimate financial burdens such as student debt, while their knowledge of financial products and concepts is variable. Financial education is shown to have a positive impact on confidence and saving behaviour, but its effect on actual financial knowledge is less clear-cut.

SurveyUK-wide

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

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

Identity, belonging and community

Life in Scotland for LGBT Young People in 2017

LGBT Youth Scotland · 2017

This report presents findings from a 2017 survey of 684 LGBT young people aged 13–25 living in Scotland, exploring their experiences across education, health, housing, employment and community life. Key findings include that 84% of LGBT young people (and 96% of transgender young people) reported experiencing mental health problems, 71% experienced bullying in school on the grounds of being LGBT, and fewer than a third felt confident reporting a hate crime to the police. While perceptions of Scotland as a good place to live for LGBT people have improved since 2007, happiness levels have declined since 2012, particularly among transgender young people.

SurveyMixed methodsScotland

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

Gender and sexuality

Scotswummin: Youth Work's Contribution to the Women's Movement

YouthLink Scotland · 2017

This report examines the contribution of youth work to the women's movement in Scotland from 1850 to the present day. Drawing on original oral history interviews with youth work practitioners, academics, and members of organisations such as the Girl Guides, as well as a review of historical archives, the report traces how girls-only clubs, feminist youth work practice in the 1970s–80s, and voluntary sector organisations empowered successive generations of girls and young women. It finds that while an explicitly feminist approach to youth work largely disappeared by the early 1990s due to funding pressures and policy shifts, the voluntary sector continues to champion girls- and young-women-only spaces, and calls for renewed attention to gender dynamics in youth work today.

InterviewFocus groupScotland

Criminal justice and youth violence

Social Media as a Catalyst and Trigger for Youth Violence (Dawes Unit Executive Summary)

Catch22 (Dawes Unit) · 2017

This report examines the links between young people's use of social media and serious youth violence in the UK. It finds that a small minority of young people are exposed daily to content on platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat and Instagram that displays or incites real-life violence, and that social media is acting as a catalyst for retaliatory violence by amplifying disrespect and threats. Key findings include concerns about drill music videos inciting violence, the vulnerability of young women to exploitation, and a lack of guidance and training for professionals. The report makes recommendations across prevention, intervention and suppression strategies for a range of stakeholders including social media platforms, police, and youth workers.

Secondary analysisInterviewUK-wide

Gender and sexuality

Girls' Attitudes Survey 2017

Girlguiding · 2017

The 2017 Girls' Attitudes Survey canvassed over 1,900 girls and young women aged 7–21 across the UK on issues including gender stereotypes, education, digital technology, personal safety, sexism in advertising, and wellbeing. Key findings show that gender stereotypes permeate all areas of girls' lives, with significant numbers altering their behaviour in response; sexual harassment in school has increased since 2014, particularly via social media; and girls overwhelmingly want the advertising industry to show more positive, diverse representations of women. While girls express confidence in their digital skills, many face barriers to considering careers in technology, and fewer than a third feel politicians understand the issues facing them.

Co-producedSurveyInterviewUK-wide

Arts, culture and creativity

Test, Risk, Change: Circuit Learning and Findings

Tate / Paul Hamlyn Foundation · 2017

Circuit was a four-year national programme (2013–17) led by Tate and funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, connecting 15–25 year olds with ten galleries across England and Wales through partnerships with youth sector organisations. The report presents findings, barriers and recommendations across three areas: building partnerships between galleries and the youth sector; motivation for diversity and change; and supporting young people as cultural producers. Key findings include that galleries struggled to engage the most marginalised young people in sustained roles, that class and perceptual barriers remained significant, and that peer-led models and genuine co-production increased young people's confidence, skills and civic engagement. The report calls for long-term cross-sector collaboration, diversified workforces and sustained organisational change to make galleries genuinely inclusive.

Co-producedSurveyInterviewEnglandWales

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

Girls' Attitudes Survey 2016

Girlguiding · 2016

The 2016 Girls' Attitudes Survey canvassed the views of over 1,600 girls and young women aged 7–21 across the UK on issues including body confidence, sexism, online safety, mental wellbeing, education, and aspirations. Key findings show declining happiness and rising anxiety, with 69% of girls aged 7–21 feeling "not good enough" and 70% of those aged 11–21 saying sexism affects most areas of their lives. Girls report widespread harassment online and in public spaces, and many are changing their behaviour as a result. Despite these pressures, many girls express pride in their achievements and feel empowered to challenge inequality.

Co-producedSurveyInterviewUK-wide

Mental health and wellbeing

The Annual Bullying Survey 2015

Ditch the Label · 2015

This large-scale UK survey of 3,023 young people aged 13–20 examines the prevalence, nature and impacts of bullying. Key findings include that 43% of respondents had been bullied, with appearance being the most commonly cited reason, and that bullying is strongly associated with negative outcomes including self-harm, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders and truancy. The report also explores perpetrator perspectives, witness experiences, and satisfaction with support services, and makes recommendations for schools, parents, government and young people.

SurveyUK-wide

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

Criminal justice and youth violence

Bar Standards Board, The Youth Proceedings Advocacy Review: Final Report

Institute for Criminal Policy Research (ICPR) · 2015

This report examines the quality of advocacy in youth proceedings in England and Wales, commissioned by the Bar Standards Board and CILEx Regulation. It finds wide variability in advocate quality, with many lacking specialist knowledge of youth justice law, struggling to communicate effectively with young defendants and witnesses, and facing systemic barriers such as low pay, inadequate training, and the low status of the Youth Court. The report makes detailed recommendations for mandatory specialist training, a licensing system for youth justice advocates, and structural reforms to better support vulnerable young court users.

SurveyInterviewEnglandWales

Arts, culture and creativity

An Overview of a New Direction's Cultural Capital Research within the Context of Wider Research into the Impact of Wealth Inequality on Young People's Participation in Arts, Cultural, and Extra-Curricular Activities

A New Direction · 2014

A New Direction surveyed 1,689 young Londoners aged 13–19 to explore differences in arts and cultural engagement between young people from lower-income families and their peers. The research found consistent gaps in engagement, cultural vocabulary and awareness of opportunities between those receiving free school meals and better-off young people. Key barriers included social, economic, physical and psychological factors — particularly a sense of identity as a 'non-attendee' among poorer young people. The report argues that arts and cultural engagement could play a meaningful role in supporting social mobility and closing the attainment gap.

SurveyMixed methodsLondon

Employment, skills and economic security

BTEG Action Plan To Increase Employment Rates For Young Black Men In London

Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) · 2014

Young black men aged 16–24 in London face unemployment rates more than double those of young white men, a gap that has widened since 2009 despite improved educational attainment. This action research project, conducted by BTEG between October 2013 and April 2014, combined an online survey of 160 young black men and four discussion groups with 25 young black male job seekers to understand the causes of this disparity. Young black men consistently identified racism, discrimination and negative stereotyping — rather than individual failings — as the primary barriers to employment, and reported feeling largely unsupported by Jobcentre Plus and Work Programme providers. The report concludes with a four-area action plan calling for a coordinated London-wide goal, improved tailored support for young black male job seekers, more pathways into employment, and active challenging of negative stereotypes.

SurveyFocus groupLondon