This briefing paper draws on existing research on 'at risk' youth and some primary data analysis to consider whether being at risk is a permanent or transitory state. Generally, those considered to be at risk fall into three categories: those who are disengaged from full-time education or full-time employment, those who are unemployed, and those who did not complete their senior secondary education. This paper suggests that rather than counting the numbers of young people at risk, we should instead turn our attention to young people who remain detached from work, study or meaningful activities for extended periods.