Applying Wellbeing Valuation to Children and Young People and Local Intervention Data in the UK

Evidence informed policy on wellbeing is a priority in the UK and internationally. This paper is addressing a current gap in wellbeing valuation targeted at young people. The paper aimed to derive new and accurate valuations for children and young peoples’ wellbeing which can be used in national policy and decisions affecting their lives. Challenges in the definition, operationalisation and measurement of wellbeing were identified, however two suitable and publicly available wellbeing datasets in the UK were selected. These are the OnSide Youth Zones data and the Understanding Society Wave 13 dataset. Three outcome variables were common in both: self-confidence, social skills, and determination. Multilinear regression was used to estimate the effects of outcomes on wellbeing. The outcome variables were each regressed in separate models to derive wellbeing valuations. Subsequently, these were monetised using the Wellbeing Adjusted Life Year. Statistically significant results were found for all outcomes investigated in the OnSide data and in Understanding Society (Youth) data, meaning these models significantly predict young people’s wellbeing. OnSide outcomes predicted a range of 16 to 37% of wellbeing and Understanding Society outcomes predicted a range of 27 to 29% of wellbeing. The calculated values for self-confidence (£9,450- £9,516), social skills (£8,274-£9,180) and determination (£11,878-£9,152). The results suggest that intervention level values are plausible but materially different from national values. The application of this method at an intervention level is viable, however the authors recognise further development in this area is necessary to address the limitations of the proposed valuation. Values derived from national data, for example, do not represent young people adequately in intervention level decisions.