A Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) report has found that council attempts to target looked-after children and those not in education, employment or training were "quite limited and occasionally non-existent".
It says that councils need to be using social networking sites such as Facebook to promote youth politics "to ensure that potential applicants are drawn from a more diverse pool".
Other recommendations include training for staff to ensure young people feel comfortable taking part in local politics. Councils also need to ensure young people are involved in drafting youth consultations and regular monitoring of who is taking part in youth participation schemes is needed.
While most of the councils surveyed ran a youth council, few had young mayors, young inspectors or young people sitting on council committees.
The LGiU is staging a one-day conference on youth participation today (Wednesday 2 December) in London where the report, called Youth Participation Growing Up?, will be discussed.
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