The Capabilities Programme at Demos is a three-year programme of research that will be focusing on the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in today’s society – and how families, schools and communities can develop these skills in children and young people.

The programme will combine econometric analysis, qualitative research, and rigourous and bold new ideas to examine which capabilities matter most to successful development, how these are acquired, and what examines different levels of development and wellbeing. In recent years, research has highlighted the extent to which character traits such as agency, motivation and application – often termed ‘soft skills’ have become increasingly important to life success, particularly for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

A key question the programme will be focusing on is what it is that families, communities, schools and other social institutions can do to develop the skills for success – and improved wellbeing – in children and young people. It will also examine the extent to which social change has impacted on experienced of childhood in Britain today, the different kinds of risks children now face compared to twenty or thirty years ago, and whether we are equipping children and young people the skills needed to deal with these risks.

The programme will have a particular emphasis on disadvantaged children and children and young people across the age spectrum, particularly focusing in on key transition points, such as entering adolescence, going in and out of care, and transitioning to independent adulthood.

For more information about becoming involved in the programme or its individual research projects please contact:

Sonia Sodha, Head of Capabilities 

Advisory board
The programme is informed by a high-level advisory board made up of leading figures from across the political spectrum:

Caroline Abrahams - Local Government Association
Professor Jo Blanden - University of Surrrey
Patrick Diamond  - Equalities and Human Rights Commission
Professor Leon Feinstein - Institute of Education
David Hargreaves - Specialist Schools and Academies Trust
Baronness Estelle Morris
David Willetts MP - Shadow Secretary for Innovation, Universities and Skills

The Capabilities Programme is generously supported by our lead partner Action for Children and our partners Creativity, Culture & Education, The Helen Hamlyn Trust and YMCA England.