Poverty, employability and climate change are considered the most pressing issues for children and young people in Northern Ireland, a new survey from the Education Authority (EA) has revealed.
Nearly a third (30%) placed economic and environmental stability as the most important of eight themes discussed by young people in the Regional Assessment of Need report (RAoN).
The majority (80%) of those surveyed said poverty affects children and young people in Northern Ireland, while 28% didn’t see themselves being able to get a job in the future and 70% said not enough was being done about climate change.
But there was a marked difference in attitude towards violence against women and girls, with 71% of girls expressing concern compared to only 51% of boys.
Thousands of children and young people, from ages nine to 25, participated in the survey, with a total of 5,451 responses recorded.
Children and young people also prioritised access to leisure and play (19%), emotional health and wellbeing (16%), and living in safety and stability (13%).
Other key concerns included respect for young people’s rights (8%), learning and achieving (6%), and good relations and equality (6%). Making a contribution to society ranked lowest, with just 1% selecting it as a priority.
More than half (54%) said they don’t feel there are fun things for them to do in the area they live, while 27% said they don’t feel they have safe spaces to hang out with their friends.
On the topic of emotional health and wellbeing, 21% don’t feel there are opportunities for physical activities and 25% said they don’t feel there is anywhere for them to go and get support for their emotional wellbeing.
The majority of girls (71%) and boys (53%) said they are concerned about violence against women and girls, with 26% of those surveyed said they don’t feel safe in their local area.
Almost a third (27%) said they feel pressure to take part in activities that might be harmful to them and 38% are worried about crime in their local area, with 32% saying social media is having a negative impact on them.
On respect for young people’s rights, 71% said they know what their rights are; 73% said they feel confident in fighting for their rights; half (50%) said they don’t feel that young people are listened to.
Regarding good relations and equality, 86% of respondents said their youth work programmes support young people from different backgrounds.
Over half (57%) said they think everyone is included and no one feels left out; 79% said they feel youth work programmes are accessible to everyone; 78% said they get the chance to spend time with people who are different to them.
However, 48% said they think young people don’t respect those from a different background.
Around 80% said they believe young people can change things for the better, but 39% said they have no opportunities to make a difference in their school or community, with 42% saying they don’t feel listened to or taken seriously.
The report, developed by EA Youth Service, identifies eight strategic themes important to the wellbeing and development of young people: Emotional Health & Wellbeing, Access to Play and Leisure, Learning & Achieving, Living in Safety & Stability, Economic & Environmental Stability, Making a Positive Contribution to Society, Respect for Young People’s Rights, and Good Relations & Equality.
It has been published ahead of an eight-week consultation period. The report and feedback will inform the development and delivery of the Regional Youth Development Plan 2026-2029.
Education Authority Assistant Director of Youth Services Arlene Kee said: “The findings from the Regional Assessment of Need report highlight the critical issues facing children and young people in Northern Ireland.
“We are committed to using these insights to inform the development and delivery of the Regional Youth Development Plan 2026-2029.
“EA has engaged directly with children and young people, through the design and implementation of the survey, and focus groups, to ensure the regional assessment of need accurately captures the concerns and aspirations of our children and young people, so we can provide the services to best meet their needs.
“We would encourage all stakeholders to take the time to study the report and provide feedback during this eight-week consultation period, to ensure we effectively address key challenges and create a better future for our children and young people.”
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News Catch Up – Monday 10th March