Making progress with measuring what matters

Why measurement matters explores why measurement is so important. Here, we celebrate the progress made turning that principle into action — showing how young people, organisations, and policymakers are working together to give every child a voice. 

Through the Our Wellbeing, Our Voice coalition, a partnership of over 60 organisations that we co-lead, we are calling for a national wellbeing measurement that is: 

• youth-centred 
• confidential 
• regular 
• delivered nationally  
• grounded in local ownership. 

This approach ensures children’s voices are heard locally and nationally, enabling schools and policymakers to act on evidence and target support effectively. 

• Supporting parliamentary advocacy, including Victoria Collins MP raising wellbeing measurement in the Bill’s Second Reading in the House of Commons and amendments tabled by Munira Wilson MP in the House of Commons and Lord O’Donnell in the House of Lords, backed by the Our Wellbeing, Our Voice coalition, helping to drive cross-party debate. 
• Providing written and oral evidence to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill Committee, with contributions from leaders including our CEO Mark Russell OBE. 
• Meeting directly with Minister Stephen Morgan MP to address concerns about school choice and workload, with the Minister acknowledging the importance of understanding wellbeing. 
• Mobilising public support, including a 4,328-signature petition delivered to Downing Street in February 2026 by The Children’s Society’s Young Influencers. 
• Securing cross-party recognition of the importance of measuring children’s wellbeing across Parliament, with the Department for Education beginning work on a Pupil Engagement Framework. 

We are disappointed the amendment was not taken forward, as how will we know whether anything in the Bill succeeds without asking young people and checking in on them.  

Measurement is not just about data. It enables prevention, early intervention, and ensures every child receives the right support at the right time.  

While the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill did not include a national wellbeing measurement, the Department for Education listened to our concerns. 

The Schools White Paper now outlines that every school should monitor pupils’ sense of belonging and engagement, supported by a Pupil Engagement Framework. This framework will provide schools with a consistent set of questions that can be acted upon locally. 

However, further steps are needed: government-led collation of the data on a national basis, inclusion of subjective wellbeing questions, and clear funding to ensure universal uptake. These are crucial to make sure the framework truly gives every child a voice and informs national policy. 

Over 4,300 people have called on the Government to introduce a National Wellbeing Measurement for children and young people.  

Help us keep this pressure up by asking your MP to write to the Minister of Education calling for a National Wellbeing Measurement.