UK Covid Inquiry appoints Verian to investigate impact of the pandemic on children and young people

The UK Covid Inquiry has taken a major step forward in its work to hear directly from children and young people, including those most affected by the pandemic, to help inform its findings and recommendations.  

Working with the Inquiry, independent research specialists, Verian (previously Kantar Public) have been appointed to deliver a bespoke and targeted research project to collect first-hand experiences from children and young people as part of a large-scale research project. This will be combined with existing evidence on the impacts of the pandemic on children and young people. 

The insights from the research will be fed into the Inquiry as legal evidence to inform questioning and the Chair’s recommendations for the future.

The Inquiry has worked closely with experts and organisations representing children and young people to carefully consider its approach which will require appropriate safeguarding measures and emotional support to reduce the risk of harm. 

Inquiry Chair, Baroness Hallett, has made clear that the Inquiry will investigate the impacts of the pandemic on children and young people and this is set out in the Inquiry’s terms of reference.

The experiences of children can also be understood through their parents, guardians, teachers and other adults and we encourage them to tell the Inquiry how they and their children were impacted by the pandemic through Every Story Matters.

Verian (formerly Kantar Public) have an extensive track record in providing robust research and evidence to government departments. They bring a world class team with extensive experience in supporting and empowering young people, particularly those who are seldom heard, to be able to engage in research and share their experiences and perspective.

Verian's UK CEO Craig Watkins commented "We are honoured to be able to support the UK Covid-19 Inquiry to ensure that the voices of children and young people are heard and can make an invaluable contribution to lessons learned for the future."

Details of the contract can be found on GOV.UK.