Taking part in the survey: FAQs
How often does the survey take place?
The survey took place every year between 2013 and 2021. The study took a break in 2022, and then a shorter online survey took place in 2023.
We intend to conduct another major survey wave will take place before you are aged 30.
Do I need to do anything now?
No, but we would very much like you to remain part of the Our Future Study community and we would like to stay in touch with you until you are aged 30.
This may be with occasional letters, emails, short web surveys and a further large-scale survey. We will write to you nearer the time with details
about how you can take part.
Why can’t different people be selected each time the survey runs?
You have provided lots of information since we started talking to you in 2013. Providing us with information about your life
regularly means that we can connect the data we already have about you to your answers and track changes that happen over time.
This means you can’t be replaced!
Will anyone be able to identify me in the reports?
No, never. Before data is released for statistical purposes, information is anonymised. The reports do not contain any personally identifiable information.
I no longer want to take part. What do I do?
If you no longer wish to be involved in the study, contact Verian on:
Email - ourfuturestudy@veriangroup.com
Phone - 0800 015 4492
Can I withdraw my data? Does this remove all data stored about me?
To withdraw your data, email Verian: ourfuturestudy@veriangroup.com
We deposit anonymised data with the UK data archive and the Secure Research Service (SRS) hosted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS),
and once your data has been deposited we are unable to remove it.
We will however remove all data that we have stored about you that has not yet been deposited.
Why were my parents involved before and why aren’t they involved now?
In the first three years of the study (in 2013, 2014, 2015), your parents were also asked questions.
When you were first involved in the study, we needed your parents to provide information about your background and household.
This is information you might not have known.
We also wanted to ask your parents their views on some topics, such as what they thought about your education.
At this stage, you were too young to be able to provide consent to take part in the study without your parents.
What did you ask my parents?
Your parents were asked a range of questions including questions about household income, their happiness with your education,
your family activities and their relationship with you.
Is Our Future and the second Longitudinal Study of Young People in England (LSYPE) the same thing?
Yes. A longitudinal study is a study that regularly goes back and interviews the same people. If you see anything referring to the Second Longitudinal Study of
Young People in England (LSYPE2), this is the study you are involved in! LSYPE1 is a similar study also known as Next Steps, a study that began in 2004.
Who are Verian?
Verian is a social research organisation. They have carried out the Our Future study since 2013 on behalf of the Department for Education.
