This report updates the long-standing Framework of Outcomes for Young People, first developed in 2012, to reflect the latest evidence and practice on supporting young people’s socio-emotional skill development (SESD).
The framework is designed for youth practitioners, organisations, and commissioners to plan, deliver, and evaluate provision that helps young people thrive.
Key elements include:
- Socio-emotional skills as the central outcome of youth provision, shown to underpin positive life outcomes in education, work, health, and relationships.
- The Young People’s Socio-emotional Skills in Context Model, which recognises how personal, family, community, and societal factors shape young people’s development.
- The Neuroperson Model, highlighting the mental skills (schemas, beliefs, awareness) that underpin behaviour and growth.
- Six core skill domains: emotion management, empathy, initiative, problem solving, responsibility, and teamwork.
- A strong emphasis on quality practice: trauma-informed, relational, and intentional staff behaviours (warmth, responsiveness, scaffolding, supporting awareness) that create the conditions for young people’s growth.
- Tools for evaluation and continuous quality improvement, including surveys, observational tools, and the Quality Practice Tool.
By reframing outcomes around socio-emotional skills, the framework aims to provide the sector with a shared language and evidence base for improving practice, tackling inequalities, and demonstrating impact.
