Study into youth worker services for young people with long-term conditions launched
By Jill Dando News
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester are leading groundbreaking research to evaluate youth worker services for young people with long-term conditions (LTCs) across the UK.
The 30-month study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, comes as recent data shows that about a quarter of young people aged 11-25 have LTCs, including conditions like diabetes, depression, or autism.
The research, jointly led by Professor Marie Marshall MBE and Professor Sue Kirk, will be conducted in two stages.
First, a national survey will map existing youth worker services across the UK, including both NHS and other organizations. Second, researchers will conduct in-depth studies of six selected services, gathering perspectives from young people, parents, professionals, and managers.
"Adolescence is a life stage when patterns of health behavior are established that continue into adult life," notes Professor Marshall, emphasizing the crucial timing for intervention.
The study will involve 12 young advisors and parents, including representatives from Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, to ensure the research remains relevant to those it aims to serve.
The findings, expected by March 2027, will help develop standardized guidance for providing youth work services in healthcare settings, potentially improving young people's health, confidence, social relationships, and resilience both during adolescence and into adulthood.
