Out of Sight - Vulnerable Young People: Covid-19 Response

The National Youth Agency, in partnership with sector colleagues, have - today - published a report titled: ‘Out of Sight - Vulnerable Young People: Covid-19 Response.’ The report highlights the scale and prevalence of young people’s needs that are amplified by the pandemic. It draws on the latest data and vulnerability framework by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England, with valuable insights from partners and young people from across the youth sector.

The report provides insight across 10 areas of concern:

  1. There are over one million young people with known needs that have been amplified by the pandemic and an estimated two million young people with emerging needs triggered or caused by COVID-19, and many more with hidden or unforeseen consequences from the pandemic.

  2. There are up to 360,000 young people from vulnerable families who receive formal support. Yet only 5% of vulnerable children (29,000) known to be at risk by social services were in school before Easter. An additional 411,000 have an unknown or unclear level of support.

  3. Of particular concern are over 448,000 young people from vulnerable families who are unknown to services, but many of whom are likely to be known by youth workers.

  4. One million young people (8–19) have self-reported mental health issues. The youth suicide rate is already high, self-harm further normalised and the number of young people at risk of being exploited, threatened or abused through the pandemic will increase.

  5. Approximately 700,000 young people (8-19) are persistently absent from school and not in education, employment or training.

  6. Over a million young people face risks from any of the so-called ‘toxic trio’ of living in households with addiction, poor mental health and domestic abuse.

  7. Self-isolation and social distancing are often not possible for many families who live in a overcrowded or shared bedroom accommodation and for homeless young people who are no longer able to ‘sofa surf’ at others’ homes. Moreover there are 83,000 young people living in temporary accommodation while 380,000 are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

  8. Evidence suggests children and families are not accessing medical advice and young people are at home without a safe space for trusted or confidential advice on subjects such as sexual health or unexpected pregnancies.

  9. Young people are now in potentially unsafe environments, vulnerable to gang-related activity or exploitation and non-compliance of social distancing. The challenges for young people are likely to increase from the prolonged lockdown and the potential burst of activity by young people as we emerge from lockdown in stages by sector and age-groups.

  10. Ultimately, as the next generation, young people will have to pay for both the economic and social costs of this crisis, facing its legacy of increased mental health, financial and employment concerns. As a nation we need a clear commitment for young people to be safe and secure, treated fairly, and confident in their future

A full copy of the report, analysis and recommendations is available via this link: