As we mark Youth Mental Health Day 2026, the latest Youth Voice Census offers an important insight into how young people are feeling about their future. 

The findings highlight the complex reality many young people are navigating today. Alongside concerns about the economy, employment opportunities, and rising barriers to progression, many are working hard to build the skills, experience, and confidence needed for their future.  

For professionals working across education, early years, health and social care, the findings raise a vital question: if young people are taking positive steps towards their future, what's making progress feel so difficult? 

Young people aren't lacking ambition 

The Youth Voice Census 2026 challenges a common misconception about young people. Far from lacking aspiration, 67% of 17 to 19-year-olds say they are likely or very likely to apply for a job as their next step. 

At the same time, young people are increasingly concerned about the wider environment they're trying to build their future in. The economy is now their biggest national concern, identified by 46% of respondents. 

For practitioners, the message is clear – the issue isn't ambition. It's whether young people can access the opportunities needed to turn that ambition into progress. 

Preparation doesn't always lead to opportunity 

One of the most striking findings from the Youth Voice Census 2026 is that young people generally feel confident about the practical elements of applying for employment. 

Many feel prepared to write a CV, complete an application form, and prepare for interviews. However, confidence drops significantly when it comes to experience, qualifications, and professional networks – the factors that often determine whether an application progresses.  

The biggest barrier identified by young people was a lack of work experience, which increased from 47% in 2025 to 57% in 2026. Anxiety as a barrier to work has also increased, while concerns about the availability of local jobs continue to grow, highlighting a widening gap between young people's efforts to prepare for employment and the opportunities available to support their progression. 

The census also highlights a growing gap between what young people are doing to prepare for work and the opportunities available to help them progress. Young people are developing skills, applying for opportunities, and preparing for employment – yet many continue to encounter barriers around experience, networks, and access. 

For CACHE Alumni members, this may feel familiar. Across education, early years, and care settings, practitioners often help young people bridge the gap between preparation and progress. 

That distinction matters. When effort doesn't lead to opportunity, confidence can quickly become frustration and, ultimately, disengagement. 

Looking beyond behaviour to understand barriers 

Disengagement rarely happens overnight. More often, it is the result of challenges building over time. 

The Youth Voice Census 2026 highlights some of those barriers. Only 26% of young people believe there are good-quality jobs available in their local area, while 43% report taking part in no enrichment activity during the previous year. Financial pressures, health concerns, anxiety, and transport barriers continue to affect access to opportunities. 

These findings are particularly relevant in the context of ongoing discussions around the growing number of young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Often, disengagement is not the result of a lack of ambition. Instead, it can be the cumulative effect of multiple barriers that make progression feel increasingly difficult. 

This aligns closely with the themes explored during CACHE Alumni's recent CPD discussion on pastoral intervention. 

Reflecting on the importance of understanding the experiences behind a young person's actions, Rachael Towey, Youth Justice Team Community Panel Member, encouraged practitioners to look beyond what they see on the surface. "When young people appear disengaged, we should ask what barriers might be sitting behind that behaviour," said Rachael. 

For CACHE Alumni members, that perspective is particularly relevant. Many support children and young people directly in education, care, or community settings. Others support young people as they navigate education, training, and their first steps into employment. 

Whatever the setting, understanding the barriers behind behaviours can help practitioners identify concerns earlier, provide more meaningful support, and prevent young people from becoming disconnected from learning, opportunities, or future aspirations. 

The power of trusted adults 

Amid the challenges highlighted in the census, there is also reason for optimism. The report highlights that trusted adults remain a key source of support for many young people, even as wellbeing challenges and feelings of disconnection persist. 

This is significant for the CACHE Alumni community. Whether you're supporting a child in the early years, helping a learner thrive in the classroom, or providing care during challenging circumstances, your role matters. 

These findings also echo the themes explored during CACHE Alumni's recent CPD event on pastoral intervention, where speakers discussed the importance of relationships, early intervention, and understanding the experiences shaping young people's lives. 

Speaking during the webinar, Alia Pike, National Workforce Officer at the National Youth Agency, reminded attendees: "There is always the potential to change the trajectory of a young person's life." 

That message feels particularly relevant in light of the census findings. 

For many young people, success is not built on one major intervention. It is built through consistent encouragement, trusted relationships, and adults who help them see possibilities when barriers begin to feel overwhelming. 

Building future you 

This year's Youth Mental Health Day theme, #BuildFutureYou, encourages young people to think positively about their future and the steps that can help them get there. 

The Youth Voice Census 2026 shows that many young people are already doing just that. They are learning, volunteering, developing skills, and working towards their goals. However, ambition alone is not enough. Young people need accessible opportunities, supportive adults, and help to overcome the barriers standing in their way. 

For professionals working across education, early years and care, the message is clear: supporting young people to build positive futures is about more than preparing them for the next step. It's about helping them access opportunities, navigate challenges, and maintain confidence when progress feels difficult. 

By listening to young people's experiences and understanding the barriers they face, practitioners can play an important role in helping young people turn ambition into progress.