New YEF Evidence Highlights the Power of Social and Emotional Learning

Seven out of ten children who admit to using violence say they did so because they felt provoked. It's a striking statistic that highlights why teaching young people how to manage emotions, relationships and difficult situations is so important.

The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) has recently updated its Violence Prevention Toolkit, introducing two new strands of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). This reflects growing evidence that developing children's emotional and relationship skills can play a significant role in preventing violence.

The new research suggests that:

• Universal SEL programmes, delivered to all pupils, may reduce violence by around 25%.
• Targeted SEL programmes, supporting young people with additional needs or risks, may reduce violence by around 43%, although there is less certainty around this estimate.

The benefits go beyond violence prevention. The evidence also links SEL programmes with improved behaviour, better relationships, wellbeing and engagement with education.

What does this mean for schools?

Social and emotional learning helps children recognise and manage their feelings, understand other people's perspectives, cope with peer pressure, build healthy relationships and make responsible decisions.

Importantly, this isn't just about teaching young people what is right and wrong. It's about giving them opportunities to explore challenging situations and develop practical skills they can use in everyday life.

This message is reinforced by new Department for Education guidance on preventing serious violence, which highlights social and emotional skills, trusted adults and positive school cultures as important protective factors.

Together, these developments underline the important role that high-quality PSHE and RSHE education can play in helping children and young people stay safe.

How does Loudmouth's approach fit?

At Loudmouth, we've been using drama and interactive education to help children and young people explore difficult issues since 1994. Our programmes don't just provide information. They bring realistic situations to life through theatre, character interaction and workshops, encouraging young people to think about feelings, pressures, choices and consequences. Through programmes exploring bullying, exploitation, consent, healthy relationships and violence against women and girls, young people have opportunities to consider different perspectives, recognise unhealthy behaviours, practise communication skills and explore how to respond safely. This approach closely reflects the principles highlighted in YEF's research, particularly the importance of active learning and giving young people opportunities to practise skills rather than simply being told what to do. We also provide schools with lesson plans, videos and follow-on resources, helping teachers reinforce and build on the learning after our visit.

A positive message for schools and funders

The new evidence strengthens the case for investing in education that develops social and emotional skills alongside knowledge and awareness. For schools, it highlights the value of interactive, well-planned PSHE and RSHE that helps pupils apply what they learn. For funders and commissioners, it provides further support for approaches that focus on developing practical skills, strengthening relationships and preventing harm before it happens.

The YEF findings relate to structured SEL programmes as a whole however the principles are closely aligned with an approach that Loudmouth have championed for over 30 years.

Helping young people understand risks is important. Helping them develop the confidence and skills to navigate those risks is just as important.

Find out more:

**1. Youth Endowment Fund: Social and emotional learning, what the latest evidence says about preventing 2. Department for Education: Preventing serious violence in education