Centre for Young Lives
cfyounglives.bsky.social
Centre for Young Lives
@cfyounglives.bsky.social
We are an independent think tank and delivery unit dedicated to improving the lives of children, young people, and families. Our Founder is Baroness Anne Longfield, our CEO is Haroon Chowdry.
Pinned
Call for evidence deadline extended to 23 Jan

We’re seeking evidence about how social media algorithms and beauty trends affect boys’ and young men’s self-image. If you have personal or professional experience, please share and get in touch: www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...
Centre for Young Lives launches 'looksmaxxing' call for evidence | Centre for Young Lives | Call for Evidence
The Centre for Young Lives is beginning a new research project to explore ‘looksmaxxing’ - a growing internet subculture focused on maximising perceived physical attractiveness - and the impact of soc...
www.centreforyounglives.org.uk
January 6, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
The New Year is a good time for making changes, and we’ve decided the time is right to use BlueSky and LinkedIn as our main social media platforms, and to no longer post on X.

Do give us a follow and please do share this post.
January 5, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Call for evidence deadline extended to 23 Jan

We’re seeking evidence about how social media algorithms and beauty trends affect boys’ and young men’s self-image. If you have personal or professional experience, please share and get in touch: www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...
Centre for Young Lives launches 'looksmaxxing' call for evidence | Centre for Young Lives | Call for Evidence
The Centre for Young Lives is beginning a new research project to explore ‘looksmaxxing’ - a growing internet subculture focused on maximising perceived physical attractiveness - and the impact of soc...
www.centreforyounglives.org.uk
January 5, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
Ofcom, which enforces the UK's Online Safety Act, says it is aware of "serious concerns" about Grok undressing people including children on X

“We have made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK," it says
January 5, 2026 at 2:27 PM
The New Year is a good time for making changes, and we’ve decided the time is right to use BlueSky and LinkedIn as our main social media platforms, and to no longer post on X.

Do give us a follow and please do share this post.
January 5, 2026 at 12:26 PM
We welcome the announcement of this important review and the commitment to carry it out rigorously and speedily.

Nobody could disagree that there has been a very significant worsening of children and young people’s mental health over the last decade.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Streeting orders review into mental health and ADHD diagnosis
The health secretary said the aim was to tackle a rising demand for services and the increased pressure on the NHS.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The first years of life are critical to a child's lifelong health, educational attainment and life opportunities. We must maintain a relentless focus on prevention and that means from birth onwards.

Important work from @childofthenorth.bsky.social

n8research.org.uk/one-in-three-c…
November 18, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
We urgently need a whole system response to address the multifaceted root causes of school absence.

Our latest analysis highlights a persisting attendance crisis, with inequalities related to poverty and disadvantage becoming entrenched.

Read on for insights and recommendations 👇

#ChildrenFirst
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
For week 8 of our #ChildrenFirst campaign, we're talking oral health

New gov policies reflect evidence from Child of the North and @cfyounglives.bsky.social and offer optimism, but there is still much to do

Social inequalities must be addressed so that no child is left behind

Cont. in comments
October 31, 2025 at 12:28 PM
We’ve joined 100+ others in calling for the government to fully scrap the two-child limit. Every child deserves the best start in life. By fully scrapping the two-child limit the government can deliver a decisive shift in children’s opportunities, and in the UK's potential.
November 12, 2025 at 9:56 AM
We’ve published a new report
setting out a framework for the Government to ensure that its Best Start Family Hubs are effectively delivered and meet the needs of those children and families who need them most.

www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...
Centre for Young Lives report urges Government to embed Best Start Family Hubs in law and target new funding at England’s areas of greatest need and “childcare deserts” | Centre for Young Lives | Pres...
This report sets out a framework for the Government to ensure that its Best Start Family Hubs – the successor to Sure Start – are effectively delivered and meet the needs of those children and familie...
www.centreforyounglives.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
A new Child of the North report finds that the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is facing a worsening crisis that is putting the UK on the brink of national emergency.

www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article...

@n8research.bsky.social @cfyounglives.bsky.social glives.bsky.social
'National emergency' over worsening SEND crisis
The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, already known to be in deep trouble, now faces ‘a worsening crisis’ which, say experts, puts the UK on the brink of a national emergency.
www.leeds.ac.uk
October 29, 2025 at 9:39 AM
The last four weeks have been a shocking and often infuriating insight into how Government failed so many children during a national time of crisis.

www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/...
October 27, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Today’s DfE stats on pupil absence show a welcome fall in persistent absence, but another increase in severe absence.

Pupils eligible for free school means remain over three and half times more likely to be severe absentees than those not eligible.
October 23, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
👩‍👩‍👦 | NEW REPORT: Families, teachers and professionals all agree: the SEND system isn’t working. Our latest report shows how we can move towards an education system that works for every child.

Read here: www.ippr.org/articles/breaking-the-cycle-send-reform
October 23, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
🚨 | NEW BLOG: The government’s new Young Futures Hubs could transform support for young people — but only if they meet the needs of girls and young women.

Our new blog with @cfyounglives.bsky.social & @agenda-alliance.bsky.social explores how to make that happen.

www.ippr.org/articles/mee...
Making space: Meeting the needs of young women and girls through Young Futures | IPPR
Young people are facing a rising tide of complex challenges. Growing up through more than a decade of austerity, the grip of social media, rising child pov
www.ippr.org
October 21, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Young Futures, the government's "Sure Start for Teenagers" programme, could transform outcomes for girls and young women. Together with @agenda-alliance.bsky.social and @ippr.org we've set out how to break down the barriers facing girls and young women.

ippr.org/articles/mee...
Making space: Meeting the needs of young women and girls through Young Futures | IPPR
Young people are facing a rising tide of complex challenges. Growing up through more than a decade of austerity, the grip of social media, rising child pov
ippr.org
October 21, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
Interesting panel on the power of sport by @eplscores.bsky.social and @cfyounglives.bsky.social - importance of sport in community identity and belonging, and the role of skills learning, freedom of play & trusting relationships with adults
September 29, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
“We know the evidence, we know what works, let’s take action”. That was the message from young experts by experience at the Labour Party conference this week, where we co-hosted a session as part of the #FutureMinds campaign with @cypmentalhealth.bsky.social YoungMinds and @cfyounglives.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
The afternoon session at the National Opportunity Summit has begun, with 12 academics from across the N8+ presenting key findings and tried & tested local solutions to improve outcomes for children and young people @cfyounglives.bsky.social @choral-research.bsky.social #NatOppSummit #ChildrenFirst
September 8, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
The latest data shows that young people's mental health is in major decline. Inaction is not an option. Alongside @cfyounglives.bsky.social @cypmentalhealth.bsky.social & Young Minds, we're calling for rapid and sustained investment to turn the tide: www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications...
July 30, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
Pleased to see the Creativity and Culture Report featured in Schools Week. The insights and messages it highlights remain just as vital today as ever!

@n8research.bsky.social, @cfyounglives.bsky.social, @childofthenorth.bsky.social

schoolsweek.co.uk/how-to-creat...
How to set trust-wide culture to closing the enrichment gap
Here's how we're ensuring every child in each of our schools accesses aspiration-raising opportunities
schoolsweek.co.uk
August 26, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Reposted by Centre for Young Lives
New research that ‘shines a spotlight on the millions of children growing up with vulnerabilities in England’ shows the need for joined-up action from government, says @cfyounglives.bsky.social founder @annelongfield.bsky.social
Pandemic ‘still casts a long shadow’ for millions of children
Publishing a report revealing the scale of vulnerability among children in England, the Centre for Young Lives calls for the government to provide joined-up solutions
www.tes.com
July 25, 2025 at 5:05 AM