Dear Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP,
We are writing to you on behalf of The Children’s Society, and signatories of this letter, out of deep concern for the challenges facing children and young people today, as highlighted in our latest Good Childhood Report.
The wellbeing of children and young people in the UK has reached one of its lowest recorded levels.
One of the most troubling findings is that many young people lack a chosen, safe, and trusted adult to turn to. They told us clearly: they need better support from adults to help them navigate school, the pressures of digital life, and to feel heard by those in positions of power.
Every child deserves a trusted adult they can turn to - someone who listens, advocates, and stands by them. Trust is something earned over time, given by young people, not allocated to them.
We are therefore asking you to commit to introducing a Chosen Trusted Adult Promise for every young person who needs it.
To make this promise meaningful and successful, we urge the following:
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A shared definition of ‘trusted adult’, defined by young people
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Choice for young people at the heart
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Long-term funding of youth provision to enable trust to be earned over time
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Monitor success and impact of trusted adult presence by listening to young people through a national wellbeing measurement
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Training to upskill adults to take on this role, with safeguarding a core part
This is not just a policy proposal - it is a moral imperative. We must act now to ensure that every young person has someone they can trust, someone who will listen, and someone who will stand by them.
We hope we can count on your commitment to improving children’s wellbeing.
Sincerely,
The Children’s Society
