Analysis: Policy - DCSF under inspection - one year on

YOUTH WORK - Tom Wylie, former chief executive, The National Youth Agency

The department inherited a 10-year strategy document, Aiming High for Young People. The inheritance of these ambitious proposals was especially welcome, given the unwillingness of the department to acknowledge young people in its title.

Similarly, one had to look hard to find references in the strategy to the contribution of youth work.

Nevertheless, as the year went on, various strands of the strategy were advanced - on transport, disability and, notably, on resources. The additional capital funding relieved some cash-strapped councils, while developmental cash helped a few national voluntary organisations. The empowerment of young people was encouraged through steps towards budget devolution, while the belated publication of guidance on "positive activities" gave useful indicators of what a sufficient local service for young people might look like.