Our approach
We research issues connected to employability and social mobility.
We undertake research to:
- Inform the design of our services – ensuring they meet need
- Make our participants’ voices heard
- Influence positive change at local and national levels
- Understand what works – and share our best practice with others
Current areas of interest:
- Factors leading to the rising numbers of young people aged 16-24 who are not in employment, education and employment (NEET), and the support available to this group.
- Employment, education and training pathways for young people with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).
- The development of careers support benchmarks for young people who are NEET.
- Early intervention to prevent young people from becoming NEET.
- The careers and pathway planning needs of young people who are electively home educated.
- What works when it comes to supporting people on probation to access employment, education or training.
Research highlights
Preview
In Progress
Addressing needs of young people with SEMH conditions is vital in driving down NEET figures
07 March 2025
Our research finds nearly five times as many NEET young people with an SEMH condition than those without.
Young People
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Recommendation
In Progress
Career Connect calls for Gatsby-style benchmarks to boost careers support for NEET 16-17-year-olds
27 February 2025
Career Connect is proposing a set of qualitative benchmarks for careers support for 16-17-year-olds who are NEET – as numbers continue to rise.
Young People
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Report
Complete
Evidencing the Impact of Impartial Careers Advice: Consultation Findings
12 February 2025
View the findings of our national consultation: ‘Careers Advice is Vital for our Future: Assessing the Evidence’.
Young People
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Analysis
Complete
Career Connect study highlights high likelihood of ADHD among NEET young people
03 January 2025
Our pilot study has found a high level of likelihood of ADHD among young people that the charity supports into education, employment and training.
Young People
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Staff Research Practitioner Programme
Our frontline staff are well placed to identify issues that could be addressed with a well-informed solution.
We invite our staff to submit research proposals that they believe will make a difference to the lives of our participants and improve our professional practice.
Once a project is selected, the member of staff works alongside our research team to develop their project. This has led to journal publication and national media coverage.
Projects have included:
- The likelihood of ADHD amongst young people who are not in employment, education or training
- The impact of noise in prisons on veterans with PTSD
- The application of Gatsby Benchmarks to careers information, advice and guidance in a prison setting
“Taking on my own research project has given me a real boost professionally. Being able to take on a new challenge and explore an issue in depth has been really interesting and added a new dimension to my work.”
Jenny Booth, Careers Adviser