The importance of family
Many of the young people we spoke with turn to their family networks to plug the gaps in formal provision, which has the potential to exacerbate inequalities of access to careers advice and guidance, and work opportunities (e.g. for young migrants).
But family is also emerging from our data as relationally important to young people, beyond their support for their economic transitions into employment.
When asked about their values and what is important to them, almost all of our participants speak of their families and cherishing close and supportive bonds with them and, in our survey, parents emerged as the most significant source of encouragement for young people with 86% saying they received encouragement from their parents compared to only 48% of young people who said they received encouragement from their teachers.
Many young people turn to their family networks for careers support and/or work opportunities
More of our findings
Feeling alienated at school
Nearly 1 in 2 young people experience school as something they need to 'get through'.
The pandemic has significantly impacted young people’s lives and post-16 transitions.
The post-16 transitions through VET of the young people we are speaking with were often non-linear and disjointed.
Non-university routes into employment come with distinctive barriers or challenges.
Uneven quality and availability of careers information, advice and guidance.
Young people who have migrated face additional challenges relating to their transitions.