“This project strengthens the case for including those with expertise through experience in delivering research. We asked the question ‘Whose voice matters?’ and have privileged the type of information that you only get by engaging with young people more directly, and gaining views about their whole life, in their own words. We have integrated this with more standard or robust types of data, to paint a more nuanced picture of young people’s experience and speak better to how policy and practice can support them into employment during this crucial time. Designing research in a way that gives young people a seat at the table gave them a chance to shift the narrative about young people: what they have to offer, their resilience and potential to add value to society and their future workplaces.”