Their core philosophy is that real change and effective services come from involving the people who are directly affected by them. They function as a bridge, connecting individuals—especially young people—with decision-makers in major institutions to inform policy and practice.
Areas of Focus
Leaders Unlocked operates across several key sectors, developing bespoke programs to embed the voice of lived experience:
- Criminal Justice: This is where their highly-regarded Young Justice Advisors project comes from. They enable young adults with lived experience of the justice and care systems to advise government bodies like the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) on policy reform.
- Policing: Through initiatives like the Youth Commission on Police and Crime, they work with Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) across the UK. Young people are recruited to conduct peer research and make recommendations that directly inform local policing strategies and priorities.
- Education: They focus on developing student voice, leadership, and social action within education institutions, including leading the Student Commission on Racial Justice, which gives young people a platform to speak out about racial inequality in schools, colleges, and beyond.
- Health & Wellbeing: They enable young people to play a leadership role in influencing strategic decisions, provision, and research in relation to youth health and wellbeing services.
- Talent & Innovation: They work with industry partners to open up opportunities for young people, helping companies diversify their workforce and develop more inclusive recruitment and retention strategies.
HMPPS Film 2019
💡 Model for Change
Leaders Unlocked achieves its goals through a distinctive methodology:
- Peer-Led Research: Young people lead the research and consultation process, which fosters trust and allows them to gather honest, detailed insights from their peers.
- Direct Engagement: They create structured forums where young people can present their findings and recommendations directly to senior leaders, politicians, and policymakers.
- Skill Development: The participants in their programs gain valuable skills in research, public speaking, negotiation, and leadership, empowering them to become effective advocates and change-makers.
In summary, Leaders Unlocked is an influential organization that promotes co-production—the idea that services and policies should be created with service users, not just for them—to achieve meaningful and lasting social justice outcomes.
