Young voices are being urged to speak up in the return of the bi-annual voluntary and anonymous survey, which will help inform Government policy, from the perspectives of Jersey’s youth.
The Jersey Children and Young People’s Survey (JCYPS) is being re-launched by Statistics Jersey, where students in Years 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12, will be able to answer the form from Monday 5 October to Friday 16 October 2026.
Since 1998, the Government has used this survey to hear the opinions and lived experiences of tens of thousands of children living in Jersey, allowing them to play their part in shaping Jersey’s future.
Parents and carers of eligible students, as well as those who are home educated, will receive a letter via their child’s school ahead of the opening of the form with details on how to take part. They can also view the contents of the surveys on Statics Jersey website up until 2 October
The JCYPS is tailored for each year-group participating, with older children being asked more questions, and questions of a more grown-up nature.
Questions such as health, wellbeing, lifestyle, and experiences of school life will be answered by students completing the online form during school time.
The JCYPS welcomes the new introduction of questions regarding students use of social media apps and generative AI tools, following the recent social media ban debates for under 16-year-olds.
The final report will be published in Spring 2027, alongside a child-friendly version for schools.
In 2024 over 4,360 children took part, with Statistics Jersey hoping to continue this “high participation” by having worked closely with the school council network.
Leading up to the opening of the JCYPS, students have had the opportunity to suggest topics and questions they feel are important, with the most common being implemented into the survey.
Chief Statistician Ian Cope said: “The survey provides vital insight into the lives of children and young people in Jersey. We have worked directly with students this year to help shape the content, ensuring it reflects the issues that matter most to them.
“New questions on social media, generative AI, caring responsibilities and food security will help build a more complete picture of the opportunities and challenges facing young people today.”
