Longitudinal Survey of Young People in England: Cohort 2
LSYPE2, known as “Our Future” to respondents, started in 2013 and is managed by the Department for Education (DfE). This is a major study of young people that will build upon the first LSYPE (also known as ‘Next Steps’), which DfE ran from 2004 to 2010 and is now being continued by the UCL Institute of Education.
LSYPE2 follows young people who were aged 13/14 in 2013 on an annual basis. The aims of this survey are:
- to follow a sample of young people through the final years of compulsory education.
- to monitor their transition from compulsory education to other forms of education, training, employment, and other activities.
- to collect information on their career paths and the factors affecting them.
- to provide a strategic evidence base about the lives and experiences of young people.
The study covers a wide range of topics, including educational experiences, health, risky behaviours, relationships, future plans, employment, and leisure activities. This holistic approach provides a comprehensive view of young people’s lives and the role of education within them.
In Waves 1-2, data were also collected from the young person’s parents which allows researchers to link information about parental background, socio-economic status, and views, with data from the young people themselves.
LSYPE2 was designed to align with the methodology but also, and question coverage of the original LYSPE (Next Steps). Many of the questions and topics covered in the first cohort are still relevant today, and have therefore been retained to ensure comparability across the two cohorts.
The first three waves of the survey interviewed young people and their parents using face-to-face and telephone interviews. At Wave 4, when participants were aged 16/17, young peopled were interviewed individually using a sequential mixed modes method. Web, telephone and face-to-face surveys have been used from Wave 4 onwards.
To date, the study has nine full waves of data, with the most recent wave concluding in 2022. As well as gathering important information on young people’s experiences of transitioning out of Higher Education or equivalent, it collected timely information on the impact of COVID-19 on young people’s lives and current activities.
The study has been an important source of information for the Department for Education and more broadly. A number of publications on a range of topics can be found on and below.
Sample design
The young people in LSYPE2 were sampled through a two-stage process. Schools were sampled first, followed by the pupils within those schools. The sample includes young people in local authority maintained schools, academies, independent schools, and special schools. Small schools and overseas students were excluded for practical reasons. This sample was designed to ensure the widest feasible perspective on young people’s experiences.
Sample boosts
To ensure representation of groups of particular interest, the study included:
- A boost for young people eligible for free school meals
- A boost for young people with special education needs
Linked data
In the first three waves, consent was obtained from both young people and their parents to link their survey data with the National Pupil Database (NPD) thereby significantly enhancing the richness of the data.
From Wave 4 onwards, young people were asked for consent to link to a broader range of administrative sources, including the HMRC, DWP, NPD, and Individualised Learner Records.
Management and funding
The study is commissioned by the DfE and conducted by Verian on behalf of the DfE.
Accessing the data
The dataset covers topics related to young people’s education, employment, aspirations, behaviours, mental health, wellbeing, demographics, and more. It is suitable for a wide range of analyses and can be linked to administrative data sources.
Data from Waves 1-9 of LSYPE2 are available for direct share through the Office for National Statistics Secure Research Service (ONS SRS). Documentation to support the use of LSYPE2 data is also available via the ONS SRS.
To request access to linked data, please complete and submit an application form directly to the DfE at data.sharing@education.gov.uk
If you would like to know more, please get in touch with the Longitudinal Studies Team at Team.Longitudinal@education.gov.uk.
Resources
To date, LSYPE2 has published the following:
- Experiences of relationships and sex education (RSE)
- Young people’s experiences of careers information, advice and guidance
- Higher education and mental health: analyses of the LSYPE cohorts
- Examining the London advantage in attainment: evidence from LSYPE
- State of the nation 2019: children and young people’s wellbeing
- Understanding KS4 Attainment and Progress
- Multiple Disadvantage and KS4 Attainment
- Experiences and attitudes of pupils in Y9
- Health and wellbeing of 14 year olds
- Health and wellbeing of 15 year olds