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Help shape the future of youth justice: Take part in YEF’s national research

The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) has commissioned four research projects to better understand how Youth Justice Services work across England and Wales, including how decisions are made, where children experience barriers to support, and how practice could be improved.

The projects focus on: 

  • Project 1: Reviewing how Youth Justice Services support children involved in serious violence, weapons offences and violence against women and girls (VAWG) (delivered by Crest Advisory)  
  • Project 2: Reviewing the use of community sentences for children (delivered by Manchester Metropolitan University)  
  • Project 3: Reviewing custody resettlement practice (delivered by Cordis Bright)  
  • Project 4: Reviewing health provision within the youth justice system (delivered by Cordis Bright)  

The studies will combine national surveys, interviews and focus groups with Youth Justice Service heads of service, managers, practitioners and Youth Justice Management Board (YJMB) members. The research will also involve children and other stakeholders. 

We are inviting Youth Justice Services and YJMB members to take part and help ensure the findings reflect current practice and inform future improvements. 

Survey 2 – Mental health, neurodevelopmental needs and resettlement

A second national survey will launch on 31st July 2026. It will explore how the Youth Justice system can support children with mental health and neurodevelopmental needs, including local systems, processes, resources and challenges. 

It will also include questions on custody and resettlement practice, which focus on how children are supported before, during and after custody, including children who are held on remand.

The survey is open to Heads of Services (or senior managers) across all YJSs in England and Wales.

Complete the survey
  • Time required: approximately 15 minutes  
  • Closing date: Early October 2026

For more information on survey 2, please contact jade.farrell@cordisbright.co.uk

How your responses will be used 

All survey responses will be anonymised and reported only in aggregate form. The findings will inform YEF’s recommendations for the youth justice sector on reducing violence affecting children, which will be published in 2027. 

Thank you for helping us build a stronger evidence base for youth justice practice. 

If you would like some more information on the YEF research on Youth Justice please contact  hashim.ahmed@youthendowmentfund.org.uk