The impact of financial pressures on young people

Financial pressures are caused by any situation where there is difficulty or uncertainty in meeting financial commitments due to a shortage of money. This could be difficulty keeping up with living expenses or being able to save for the future.

In some cases, financial pressures can lead to poverty and destitution.  Without sufficient protective factors, living with financial pressures can impact a young person’s development and wellbeing, and put them at increased risk of abuse or exploitation. 

This briefing uses insights from Childline counselling sessions and NSPCC Helpline contacts to share children and young people’s voices and experiences of financial pressures.

Key themes included:

• material hardship
• housing instability
• impacts on family dynamics
• barriers to independence
• barriers to accessing support
• feeling pressure to solve financial problems
• hopes and worries for the future.