Youth sector leaders welcome strategy pledge

??Speaking at the Ambition UK 2016 conference on Tuesday, Wilson said a youth policy statement intended to cover the period up to 2020, will bring together a "clear narrative and vision" for how best to help young people. ?

?He told delegates that the government is keen to use the youth sector's "insights and wisdom" to shape the new strategy, the first since 2011's Positive for Youth.

Youth work leaders welcomed the announcement as an opportunity to reinvigorate voluntary and statutory youth services.

Anna Smee, chief executive of UK Youth, said: ?"The minister's commitment to help every young person throughout their transition to adulthood needs to be at the heart of a new youth strategy. ??

"We are encouraged that he recognises the need to engage young people, equip them with life skills, inspire them to give back, and enable them to gain independence.??

"We look forward to seeing a ministerial strategy that works for all young people and the youth organisations that support them along their social development journey to help create an exciting, innovative and sustainable sector."

Julie Auger, vice chair of the Institute for Youth Work, said she hopes the new policy statement offers "tangible guidance" to local authorities.

?"The erosion of youth work is ongoing and movements towards more supportive legislature alongside new youth policy would be a very progressive development," she said.??

Paul Miller, chief executive of the National Youth Agency, added: "A youth strategy that sets out the vision behind separate departmental policies and shows continuity between them has been long overdue.?

?"Without it young people's policy is simply a handful of disparate opportunities.

??"With it young people's development needs can be better addressed, and policies can be integrated into a more coherent plan that supports their lives."   ? ?

Wilson also told delegates that with less public money being put into youth services, the sector would need to look at a wider range of options for funding such as trusts, philanthropy and social investment.??

Kathryn Morley, chief executive of Onside Youth Zones, said she was encouraged to hear that promoting innovation and collaboration is on the agenda.

?"OnSide Youth Zones has found tremendous appetite among philanthropists, business and charitable trusts to work in partnership with the public and voluntary sectors," she said.
 
"We have a shared societal responsibility to improve the health, wellbeing and employability of young people, but it requires vision and commitment from all parties to arrive at effective and sustainable solutions."

Wilson also said the government will arrange a ministerial roundtable event on Brexit for youth sector organisations.

Auger said she was "very heartened" that young people will be included in discussions on Brexit.  ??

"It's very timely to start this dialogue during National Youth Work Week where the sector is focusing on ‘Fair Chances'; let's ensure all young people are represented as best we can, using the skills that exist in the youth work sector," she added.