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Background
Hertfordshire’s SEND Young People’s Health and Wellbeing Survey gathers self-reported data from young people aged 11-25 with special educational needs and disabilities. It gives young people with SEND the opportunity to share their views on various aspects of their health and wellbeing. Information from the survey enables schools, commissioners, and a wide range of agencies and service providers to gain a clearer understanding of the needs of young people with SEND and their families, improving the support they offer.
This year (2025/26) is the first year of the launch of the survey, following a pilot in 2024/25. A total of 635 young people responded to the survey, including young people from over 15 specialist SEND schools, young people who are electively home educated, and young people who are not in education. Schools with over 50 responses receive a school specific data insights report, allowing them to better understand and meet their students’ needs, as well as illustrate their impact to Ofsted, school governors, parents and the local authority.
The survey is an adapted version of the mainstream Young People’s Health and Wellbeing Survey (YPHWS) which gathers self-reported information from all young people in Hertfordshire aged 11-19. The online survey was created with input from local organisations, education professionals, and young people to ensure it covers the most important and relevant topics. Young people can complete the survey independently and or with help from an adult they trust.
The survey is jointly delivered by Hertfordshire County Council’s Public Health and Services for Young People team.
Interpreting the report
Each section is comprised of graphs accessible through switching through the tabs. You can jump to different sections of the report using the menu on the left. All graphs are interactive, and you can hover over bars for more information, select and deselect categories in the legend, and more. The bars in each graph are presented with confidence intervals showing uncertainly around the value, This is useful when comparing between groups. If the confidence intervals between two figures do not overlap, we can say with certainty that the difference between the two figures is due to more than coincidence, and that the difference is statistically significant.
Note: To protect the identity of respondents, all values were rounded to the nearest five before the percentages were calculated. This is in line with Office of National Statistics recommendations for disclosure control. Please keep in mind that percentages derived from small values may be unreliable.
1. Demographics
The smallest proportion of respondents were aged 11 and 18 (35, 5.6 %). The ages with the highest proportions were 16 (120, 19%) and 15 (100, 15.9%). In total, 630 young people responded to this question.
The smallest proportion of respondents reported they were “Not in education” (10, 1.6 %). In total, 625 young people responded to this question. The school years with the highest proportions were College (190, 30.4%) and Year 11 (110, 17.6%).
In total, 630 young people responded to this question. The two largest groups of respondents identified as Male (300, 47.6 %) and Female (270, 42.9 %). 35 (5.6 %) young people did not identify as female or male - i.e. Non-Binary, Transgender or Unsure/Other.
The smallest proportion of respondents reported their sexual orientation as “Gay Male” (10, 1.6 %). The sexual orientations with the highest proportions were “Straight” (385, 61.6%) and “Not Sure” (105, 16.8%). In total, 625 young people responded to this question.
The smallest proportion of respondents reported their ethnicity as “Other ethnic group” (20, 3.2 %). The non-white ethnicities with the highest proportions were “Mixed” (55, 8.8%) and “Asian” (35, 5.6%). In total, 625 young people responded to this question.
In total, 630 young people responded to this question. The smallest proportion of respondents reported their religion as “Hindu” (10, 1.6 %). The religions with the highest proportions were “No religion” (340, 54%) and “Christian” (160, 25.4%).
The districts with the highest proportions were St Albans (85, 14%) and Stevenage (80, 13.2%). In total, 605 young people responded to this question. The smallest proportion of respondents reported their district as Broxbourne (10, 1.7 %).
Living Conditions
Click here for glossary
ASD - Autism spectrum disorder
ADHD - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Needs
SEMH - Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
The disabilities or special educational needs with the highest proportions were “ASD” (275, 43.3%) and “Learning difficulties” (220, 34.6%). In total, 635 young people responded to this question. The smallest proportion of respondents reported their disabilities or special educational needs were “Blind/partially sighted” (15, 2.4 %).
555 (88.1 %) respondents reported that they had not been ever adopted, lived with foster carers or lived in a children’s home. 40 (6.3 %) reported that they had. In total, 630 young people responded to this question.
460 (73.6 %) respondents reported that they are not a carer or do not look after a family member. 90 (14.4 %) reported that they are a carer or did look after a family member. In total, 625 young people responded to this question.
In total, 630 young people responded to this question. 170 (27 %) respondents reported that they receive free school meals. 380 (60.3 %) reported that they did not.
200 (31.7 %) respondents reported that they received help to fill in the survey. 430 (68.3 %) reported that they did not. In total, 630 young people responded to this question.
2. Lifestyle
Diet
Questions about young people’s diets help us understand their relationship with both healthy and unhealthy foods. Eating habits play a crucial role in healthy growth and have important implications for their risk of developing obesity in adulthood. By understanding young people’s diet, we can identify areas of concern, support early intervention, and design effective health promotion programmes that encourage the development of healthy behaviours.
520 (83.2 %) respondents reported that they drink water throughout their day. 105 (16.8 %) reported that they did not. In total, 625 young people responded to this question.
In total, 625 young people responded to this question. 130 (20.8 %) respondents reported that they have fast food or takeaways more than 2-3 times a week. 495 (79.2 %) reported that they did not.
In total, 630 young people responded to this question. 270 (42.9 %) respondents reported that they have fizzy drinks more than 2-3 times a week. 360 (57.1 %) reported that they did not.
In total, 625 young people responded to this question. 140 (22.4 %) respondents reported that they have energy drinks more than 2-3 times a week. 485 (77.6 %) reported that they did not.
385 (61.1 %) respondents reported that they have sweets or chocolate more than 2-3 times a week. 245 (38.9 %) reported that they did not. In total, 630 young people responded to this question.
400 (64 %) respondents reported that they had breakfast today. 225 (36 %) reported that they did not. In total, 625 young people responded to this question.
In total, 625 young people responded to this question. The frequency with the least respondents was “Never” (15, 2.4 %). The most popular frequencies were “Every day” (210, 33.6%), “Most days” (200, 32%), and “Sometimes” (200, 32%).
Personal health
In total, 620 young people responded to this question. The smallest proportion of respondents reported their weight as “Underweight” (40, 6.5 %). The respondents’ descriptions of their weight with the highest proportions were “Just right” (275, 44.4%) and “I don’t know” (150, 24.2%).
While the Naitonal Child Measurement Programme provides insights into young people’s height and weight, this question aims to understand weight perception in young people. Weight perception strongly influences self‑esteem, body image, and mental wellbeing, and can shape eating behaviours, physical activities.
In total, 625 young people responded to this question. 35 (5.6 %) reported they hadn’t brushed their teeth on the previous day. 445 (71.2 %) respondents reported that on the previous day they brushed their teeth twice or more and 145 (23.2 %) only brushed them once.
Poor oral health does not only have implications on physical health, but may also have an adverse impact on young people’s emotional health and social life. Supporting positive oral hygiene helps prevent poor oral health and reduces the risk of long‑term dental in adulthood.
In total, 630 young people responded to this question. 460 (73 %) respondents reported that they had visited the dentist in the last year. 105 (16.7 %) reported that they did not.
In total, 620 young people responded to this question, which was only answered if the respondent considered they could take part in physical activity. 240 (38.7 %) took part more than three times a week and 105 (16.9 %) reported that they took part in physical activity less than once a week.
Understanding how often young people exercise helps us build a fuller picture of their overall health and daily routines. Regular physical activity is essential for healthy growth, mental wellbeing, and reducing the risk of obesity and other long‑term conditions.
Guidelines on recommended level of physical acitivity for various age groups and needs can be found here.
Smoking and substance use
This section asks about young people’s experience with different substances. These questions are optional and young people are able to skip the questions if they wish to. The results should be interpreted with caution as the information is self-reported.
70 (11.2 %) respondents reported that they had ever tried smoking. In total, 625 young people responded to this question. 545 (87.2 %) reported that they had not.
In total, 625 young people responded to this question. 455 (72.8 %) reported that they had not. 145 (23.2 %) respondents reported that they had ever tried vaping.
330 (53.2 %) reported that they had not. 250 (40.3 %) respondents reported that they had ever tried alcohol. In total, 620 young people responded to this question.
40 (6.4 %) respondents reported that they had ever tried illegal drugs. 565 (90.4 %) reported that they had not. In total, 625 young people responded to this question.
3. Sexual Health
To learn about young people’s sexual health knowledge, young people who were aged 16 or over were asked about whether they have heard of the three common sexually transmitted infections below. Those reported as under 16 years of age were not presented the questions in this section.
Sexual health knowledge
175 (64.8 %) respondents reported that they had heard of Gonorrhoea. 95 (35.2 %) reported that they had not. In total, 270 young people responded to this question.
In total, 270 young people responded to this question. 125 (46.3 %) reported that they had not heard of Syphilis. 145 (53.7 %) respondents reported that they had.
In total, 270 young people responded to this question. 160 (59.3 %) respondents reported that they had heard of Chlamydia. 110 (40.7 %) reported that they had not.
Sexual health support
The sources of information with the highest proportions were “Family” (140, 52.8%) and “Professionals” (105, 39.6%). The smallest proportion of respondents reported they got information from “Other media” (35, 13.2 %). In total, 265 young people responded to this question.
In total, 265 young people responded to this question. The smallest proportion of respondents reported they would seek information from “Services for Young People” (15, 5.7 %). The sources of information with the highest proportions were “Doctor” (70, 26.4%) and “Sexual health clinic” (45, 17%).
4. Mental Health
Worries
Young people were asked to tick the topics that they worry about and they were able to choose multiple topics. In total, 585 young people responded to this question. The topics that concern respondents most were “School (exams/future)” (330, 56.4%) and “Mental health” (230, 39.3%). The topics that were least concerned were “Addiction (drugs/alcohol/gambling)” (55, 9.4 %).
Young people were asked to choose up to five ways in which they cope when there is a problem they worry about. In total, 620 young people responded to this question. The most popular ways to cope with worries were “Listen to music” (350, 56.5%) and “Talk to a family member” (255, 41.1%). The least popular way of coping was “Take drugs” (10, 1.6 %).
Attitudes towards mental health
The following questions ask subjective questions about young people’s mental health and their attitude toward mental health.
220 (34.9 %) respondents reported that they felt happy the previous day. 90 (14.3 %) reported that they felt unhappy. In total, 630 young people responded to this question.
In total, 625 young people responded to this question. 380 (60.8 %) respondents reported that they agreed it was okay to talk about their mental health. 70 (11.2 %) reported that they disagreed.
In total, 630 young people responded to this question. 90 (14.3 %) respondents reported that they always feel hopeful for their future. 90 (14.3 %) reported that they never did. The largest group reported that they felt hopeful for the future “Sometimes” (305, 48.4 %).
Mental health support
To understand the ways we can support young people, the following questions aim to examine how young people engage with mental health support and their experiences with it.
90 (14.6 %) reported that they did not know where to find information about looking after their mental health. 355 (57.7 %) respondents reported that they knew. In total, 615 young people responded to this question.
195 (31.2 %) reported that they had not seek support. In total, 625 young people responded to this question. 280 (44.8 %) respondents reported that they had seeked support for their mental health.
This question was only offered to respondents who replied “Yes” in the previous question. Most commonly respondents found the mental health support service “A little” helpful (110, 39.3 %). This question was only offered to respondents who replied “Yes” in the previous question. 25 (8.9 %) found the support “Not helpful at all”. This question was only offered to respondents who replied “Yes” in the previous question. In total, 280 young people responded to this question.
5. Bullying and safety
In this section, we examine young people’s experience in bullying and fights. Further questions on where this occurred and whether any weapons were involved were also asked.
In total, 630 young people responded to this question. 65 (10.3 %) respondents reported that they were currently being bullied.
This question was only present for pupils who responded ‘Yes’ to the previous question. They were able to choose more than one answer. 20 (33.3 %) respondents reported that they were being bullied online. 55 (91.7 %) reported that they were bullied at school.
170 (27.2 %) respondents reported that they had been in a fight in the last year. In total, 625 young people responded to this question. 395 (63.2 %) reported that they had not been in a fight.
This question was only asked to those who said “Yes” in the previous question. In total, 165 young people responded to this question. In the fight, 15 (9.1 %) respondents reported that a weapon was used. 150 (90.9 %) reported that a weapon was not used.
6. Education
The following questions explore pupils’ experience with support from school and their prospects in the future.
100 (15.7 %) respondents reported that they did not feel as though their views were listened to. 75 (11.8 %) reported they didn’t know if their views were listened to. Most respondents (240, 37.8 %) reported that they felt their views were listened to in school/college. In total, 635 young people responded to this question.
In total, 625 young people responded to this question. The smallest proportion of respondents planned to “Have other plans” and “Start a family” (65, 10.4 %). The most common future prospects were “Get a job” (290, 46.4%) and “Continue in education” (210, 33.6%).
In total, 620 young people responded to this question. 305 (49.2 %) respondents reported that they knew what their ECHP was. 315 (50.8 %) reported that they did not.
This question was only asked to those who said “Yes” in the previous question. In total, 325 young people responded to this question. 170 (52.3 %) respondents reported that they attended or provided their views at their annual ECHP review. 70 (21.5 %) reported that they did not.
The smallest proportion of respondents responded with “School nurse” (15, 2.5 %). The most common sources of support were “Family member/carer” (400, 66.1%) and “School/college/teacher” (195, 32.2%). In total, 605 young people responded to this question.