Category Archives: Post 16

Optimising support for post-16 transition: young peoples’ perspectives on the barriers and contributors to a successful transition (2026)

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Author: Imogen Morgan-Gray, Dan Hawkins, Alice Morgan-Davies, Carla Tromans, Cora Sargeant and Sarah Wright
Published: 2026
Publication: Research in Post-Compulsory Education

In 2015, national policy in England raised the mandatory education participation age to 18, making the transition to post-16 education compulsory. Inadequate support at this transition milestone can lead to negative outcomes, including becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). Despite its significance, research has largely focused on primary-to-secondary transitions, leaving post-16 transitions underexplored. This gap shows limited understanding of factors influencing post-16 transition success. This study explored young people’s experiences transitioning from secondary to post-16 education, identifying barriers and factors contributing to successful outcomes. Through opportunistic selection, 28  Year 12 students from two mainstream colleges in the south of England participated in an online survey with open-ended questions. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Five core themes were identified, which can be summarised as: understanding college, planning their future, being viewed as an individual, support networks, and understanding transition as a process, not an event. The study enhances understanding of post-16 transitions by emphasising young people’s perspectives. The analysis suggests successful transitions require a holistic approach, integrating social networks, personalised support, and clear information. The study calls for re-evaluating educational practices to ensure adaptable, person-centred support. Future research should explore diverse student experiences and the impact of institutional policies.

Morgan-Gray, I., Hawkins, D., Morgan-Davies, A., Tromans, C., Sargeant, C. & Wrights, S. (2026). Optimising support for post-16 transition: young peoples’ perspectives on the barriers and contributors to a successful transition. Research in Post-Compulsory Education, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2026.2739105

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Mental health beyond the school gate: Young people’s perspectives of mental health support online, and in home, school and community contexts (2020)

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Authors: Natalie Jago, Sarah Wright, Brettany K. Hartwell and Rachel Green
Published: 2020
Publication: Educational and Child Psychology

Aims: This study sought to develop a greater understanding of what young people identify as essential components of mental health support.
Rationale: Children and young people’s mental health has been identified as an area of concern and highlighted by the government as a priority area for improvement. In the United Kingdom (UK), increased importance has been placed on capturing their views. However, research suggests this group is not always asked for their views by decision-makers leading to a discrepancy between what is provided and what children and young people want from support. Incorporating the views and perspectives of children and young people in the design of appropriate support approaches is an important way to give them a voice in issues that affect them, as well as ensuring provision is suitable.
Method: A two-round Delphi method was used whereby a panel of young people aged 16-25 who had previously experienced a mental health difficulty rated a series of statements. A consensus level of 75% across the panel was set to include/exclude statements in a final framework of recommendations. To gain feedback on the feasibility and utility of the framework, interviews with adult stakeholders were carried out.
Findings: The competencies identified were used to form a framework of recommendations for practice. The importance of relationships, the need for trust and confidentiality, and the need for further mental health awareness and training were key themes identified.
Conclusions: This study provides a helpful insight into what young people value from mental health support. Implications of the research include a need for further awareness raising of children and young people’s views regarding mental health and larger scale participatory research to expand upon the findings of the current study.

Jago, N., Wright, S., Hartwell, B. K. & Green, R. (2020) Mental Health Beyond the School Gate: Young People’s Perspectives of Mental Health Support Online, and in Home, School and Community Contexts. Educational and Child Psychology, 37(3), 69-85.

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