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Young People's Survey

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Over the past twenty years the Education Department and the Health and Social Services Department have worked with the School's Health Education Unit (SHEU) in Exeter to develop a profile of young people in Guernsey.

The Surveys have changed over the years. The original versions were paper-based and focused on health issues. These surveys have provided an important evidence base that has been used for a variety of purposes:

  • To monitor trends amongst young people especially to measure developments over time.
  • To benchmark the findings against other communities.
  • To inform practice - the survey has been especially significant in shaping health-related activities such as the Drug and Alcohol Strategy, Participation of Young People in Sporting Activities, Developments in Personal Social and Health Education.

The most recent fully comprehensive survey was The Guernsey Young People's Survey which was undertaken in the summer 2010. The key points to note are;

  • 1500 pupils in Years 6, 8, 10&12 answered 100 questions on behaviour, views and attitudes to life in Guernsey.
  • Yr 6 aged 10 -11 years. Yr8 aged 12 -13 years, Yr10 aged 14-15 years, and YR 12 aged 16-17 years.
  • The survey was undertaken on-line in islands schools in summer 2010.
  • Comparisons are made with a similar survey undertaken in Guernsey in 2007 and in England in 2009.

The survey was administered by the Schools Health Education Unit. The unit are leaders in gathering evidence about the behaviour, views and attitudes of young people. They were asked to comment on the survey.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to revisit the views, attitudes and behaviours of the Bailiwick young people. We have been invited to comment on the findings of the 2010 survey. In Summary our view is:

  • The findings of the 2010 survey broadly concur with those of the young people as Top-class teenagers. Our observation is that Guernsey can be described as 'moving in the right direction' when considering the lives of young people.
  • There have been some notable developments. The drop in alcohol consumption is reassuring and the work in developing smoke free attitudes is exemplary, as is the work of the agencies in developing positive, responsible attitudes to sex and relationships. However Guernsey is clearly not immune from the unprecedented speed with which children's lives are changing, the pressures they face and the increased emotional stress that they feel.
  • Much has been done to address concerns about self - esteem and emotional well - being that were highlighted in the 2007 survey but this remains an issue for Guernsey as much as for any other community." Schools Health Education Unit 2010

Findings of the survey have been released over the past year .Topics that have been covered include:

  • Drugs
  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco
  • Sex and Relationships
  • Sport participation
  • Activities
  • Part-Time Employment
  • Food and Health

Further information is available to download below.