Youth work is one of many local services that cannot be cut twice
In November, we celebrated Youth Work Week, which provided an opportunity to share the positive impact that youth work has on young people.
The LGA held a webinar for local authorities and their partners on what works for developing and delivering youth work.
During this webinar, we heard from Durham Council and the North East Youth network, Harrow Council and Young Harrow Foundation, and Hull City Council.
Attendees had the opportunity to come together to share the challenges they are facing, but also to celebrate positive practice.
We heard about the positive results of collaborative work with the voluntary sector, with each agency having its own role in supporting children and young people in the community.
However, youth work is one of many local services that cannot be cut twice.
Youth services have seen a significant decline over the past 10 years and councils will continue to face difficult decisions about services because of rising demand and funding pressures.
Youth workers were essential during the pandemic, showing the difference they make to young people and their families through targeted outreach work, coordinating service responses and visiting young people.
Youth work remains incredibly important in supporting young people to reach their potential, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds and young people who are growing up in challenging circumstances.
There has been some progress from central government, with expectations set out in the youth guarantee and the delivery of the Youth Investment Fund.
However, we were disappointed that this was reduced from £500 million to £378 million: that shortfall could have paid for 1,200 full-time youth and community support workers within councils over three years.
Investment into the recruitment and training of qualified youth workers has declined, with fewer than 300 students a year taking up courses that should have an annual intake of up to 2,000 undergraduates.
To deliver the youth guarantee, and if greater expectations are placed on local authorities, we must have appropriately qualified staff.
Although national funding cuts have had a significant impact on councils’ ability to directly deliver youth provision, they continue to play an essential role in setting out the vision and direction of youth services in their area.
As conveners of place, working with local partners – such as schools, health partners and the voluntary and community sector, plus young people themselves – local authorities have an essential role.
If we are to understand where we need to go next, we need to know what is currently available – which is why the National Youth Agency is asking all commissioners and providers of youth services to record their services in its national census.
We want to ensure there is an accurate picture of local authority provision, so please make sure you have updated your information online.
Our ultimate ambition is for all young people to have access to the services they need, want and deserve.
To achieve this, the LGA continues to call on government for sustainable funding, which will be essential to ensure all councils can provide a strong, long-term youth offer.
Alongside this, we want to see ministers bring forward a cross-government strategy that puts children and young people’s outcomes at the heart of all policymaking, with a specific plan for youth services and the youth workforce.