CYP Now - New era for youth policy as Cabinet Office move marks historic shift

After months of speculation, the Department for Education has relinquished responsibility for youth policy in England, but the move raises questions about the impact on youth work and young people's wellbeing.

The decision to move responsibility for youth policy from the Department for Education to the Cabinet Office marks a seismic shift.

It is the first time since 1939 and the advent of a national government youth policy that responsibility has not rested with the Department for Education, or one of its guises.

Speculation that youth policy could be re-homed began soon after children's minister Tim Loughton was replaced last September. Indeed, it was not long before the DfE fell virtually silent on youth matters.

This "hands-off" stance was confirmed in January by Education Secretary Michael Gove, who told the education select committee that youth policy is not a priority for central government and should be developed by local authorities rather than Whitehall. So, in light of this, what role will the Cabinet Office have and how is the change going to affect youth services?

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