Leicester Children's Health and Wellbeing Survey 2021/2022

Overall, the survey paints a picture of children and young people who are positive about life and their prospects. Most, for example, like where they live and are positive about their school. They feel safe in their neighbourhood, school and home. Most children report good mental health, two-thirds say they learn from their mistakes, and most children have a trusted adult they can talk to when worried about something. Leicester children and young people are unlikely to have tried alcohol, smoking or drugs. Children recall being told how to stay safe while online. This is important given that seven out of ten children have a social media account. The survey also identifies challenges involving some children and young people. One in five children reveal they care for family members after school, many children struggle to achieve the recommended level of physical activity, and about a third of children had nothing to eat for breakfast. Some children struggle with their emotional wellbeing, one in ten children report they have no adult to talk to when worried, and these children find it more difficult when something goes wrong. Results have been broken down by different groups and this identifies that some groups of children are more likely to experience health and wellbeing issues. For example Leicester girls are significantly more likely to have caring responsibilities, older children are more likely to make poorer health and wellbeing choices, and there are also health and wellbeing issues more closely linked to some ethnic groups.