Our research

The ‘Are Young People Being Heard?’ research was completed in 2002. It reflects the opinions of some 2,600 children and young people (including excluded groups) and more than 1,500 adults from across the UK.

The key findings show that:

The majority of children and young people in the UK believe that their voices are not being heard and acted upon. Adult opinions appear to back this up
83 percent of adults say that it is very important to listen to children and young people
57 percent of adults agree that they do listen and act on what they hear

Significantly, the research also highlights what happens when young people feel they are not listened to, and what could happen if adults listened more. Indeed, both adults and young people agree that real social problems could be resolved, understanding between adults and young people could be improved, and young people could gain more confidence if adults and young people listened more to each other.

“I don't talk to my Mum and Dad when they're busy, because they get furious.” *

Check out our Research summary or download a copy of the full research report ‘Are Young People Being Heard?’

* Young person quoted from the ‘Are Young People Being Heard?’ research