Opinion: Find structure in the unstructured work

I have nothing against extending provision of and opportunity to take part in more structured youth activities. I encourage young people to get involved in them. It is unlikely there are going to be negative outcomes from learning a musical instrument or joining a sports club. IPPR's press release towards the end of October talked of "badges and belts" - hinting at mechanisms for recognising achievement through structured provision.

It also suggested parents should be fined if they did not enrol children in provision and make sure they attended.

All this, no doubt, will appeal to the worst nature of an increasingly authoritarian and interventionist state. I take issue with the recommendations for at least four reasons. First, there is a different culture and tradition of youth work in the UK; you cannot just bolt on a new approach. If you want to develop sports and hobby clubs, then there probably needs to be parallel support for more autonomous youth organisations. Second, the research on which the IPPR arguments are based is seriously dated and it does allow for alternative interpretations that have not received much attention, let alone consideration - not least for the resourcing and development of more professional youth work practice. Third, the notion of unstructured youth work needs careful exploration: there is a continuum within it from chaotic to intentional. But most of all, I want to defend space for young people to hang around - not to engage in antisocial behaviour but to develop a sense of purpose.