Join Understanding Society for the launch of the 2026 Insights report at a one-day policy conference on building social infrastructure to support development and reduce inequalities.
While curriculum reform and classroom effectiveness, whether in schools, colleges or universities, matters critically for reasoning and knowledge, educational attainment, and social mobility, what happens alongside the classroom equally matters. Social and emotional development, nutrition and healthy living, soft skills, parental income and unemployment, and places also influence outcomes. Evidence shows that inequalities in education and social mobility start early on in childhood, have long-term consequences, and are transmitted intergenerationally.
All stages of childhood and adolescence are important for development, but the necessary social and financial support infrastructure has been cut or under-developed over the years. Positively, inequalities in education and employment outcomes by socio-economic background for young people had been narrowing, but there are worrying signs of many children and young people being left behind. In England, child poverty is at a record high, education inequalities have widened since the pandemic, demand for mental health services and Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans has been growing, and huge numbers are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Building infrastructure and services over the next 10 years could generate long-term benefits for individuals, communities and the economy – and provide a counterbalance to life online. This will depend on the effectiveness of investment in early years, extending maternity and paternity rights, support for parents (particularly mothers), vulnerable families and special needs, mental health services, youth hubs and sports clubs, careers support, work experience, cross-national exchanges, and other access programmes. The UK Government has been developing several strategies and policies as part of its Opportunities Mission. On welfare reform, the removal of the two-child limit for families on Universal Credit is expected to significantly reduce child poverty. Educational reforms include curriculum changes and a Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. With a range of powers devolved to the home nations, a more diverse landscape is emerging across the country.
Understanding Society has been tracking the lives of children and young people, within a family context, since 2009. Analysis of the data by researchers is revealing a rich unfolding tapestry of ambitions, challenges, hurdles and lack of progress across generations. So, what needs to be done differently over the medium term to overcome these challenges and barriers, and how can services and opportunities be more effectively distributed in the context of fiscal constraints?
This policy conference will focus on three themes:
- Building the early foundations
- Supporting the adolescent years
- Improving youth health and social mobility across places
The event will bring together policymakers, local and combined mayoral authorities, education and health providers, children and family organisations, sports and care organisations, young advocates and youth organisations, economic development agencies, and academics.
Understanding Society will be launching Insights 2026 Barriers to Opportunity Report at this event. Based on the Study’s long-term data, the report provides wide ranging, emerging evidence for policy, learning lessons and practice.
Programme
09.00 – 09.30 REGISTRATION
09.30 – 09.40 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
09.40 – 10.20 OPENING KEYNOTE
Lessons from research for Policy Planning of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), Professor Edward Melhuish, University of Oxford, and Birkbeck, University of London
10.20 – 11.20 BUILDING THE EARLY FOUNDATIONS (including Q&A)
Tackling emotional and behaviour difficulties much earlier, Dr Edith Aguirre, Understanding Society Family Team, University of Essex
The benefits and limitations of Sure Start for education and health, Christine Farquharson, Institute for Fiscal Studies
Applying lessons from evidence on impact of free-school meals, Professor Birgitta Rabe, University of Essex
11.20 – 11.40 REFRESHMENT BREAK
11.40 – 12.40 SUPPORTING THE ADOLESCENT YEARS (including Q&A)
Factors influencing high and low expectations at aged 16, Dr Alexander O’Donnell, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
The story behind school absences (primary and secondary), Professor Jonathan James, University of Bath, and Understanding Society Research Fellow
Participation in extra-curricular activities: how much does this matter? Professor Michael Donnelly, University of Bath
12.40 – 13.40 LUNCH
13.40 – 14.10 A PERSPECTIVE ON REDUCING SOCIAL INEQUALITIES AMONGST CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Mark Russell, Chief Executive, The Children’s Society
14.10 – 15.00 YOUTH HEALTH – AND CHALLENGING PLACES (including Q&A)
Understanding drivers of trends in young people’s mental health, Dr Matthias Pierce, University of Manchester
Young people in coastal communities, Dr Emily Murray, University of Essex
15.00 – 15.20 REFRESHMENT BREAK
15.20 – 16.20 PANEL DISCUSSION: Delivering priorities over the current parliament – and beyond
Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Southwark Council
Lydia Hodges, Head of Coram Family and Childcare
Kadra Abdinasir, Associate Director of Policy, Centre for Mental Health
Barry Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer, Youth Futures Foundation
16.20 – 17.15 REFRESHMENTS AND NETWORKING
