Opinion: Green Paper follows an established path

I worry a little about the proposed withdrawal of opportunity cards from young people engaging in unacceptable behaviour. I fully understand the issue about responsibility and not rewarding such behaviour, but I hope this will be done with care and through the discretion of workers. Withholding the card may have the desired effect with some young people, but with others it is likely to be counterproductive and will simply compound their sense of alienation. I am also somewhat disappointed by the uncritical acceptance of the implementation process proposed in the Russell Commission report on youth volunteering.

These are important concerns, but they should not deflect the fact that the green paper sets out a commendable vision for 21st-century youth services, not through dictates from on high but through informed responsiveness by local authorities to the needs of their young people. But, as Steve Barrett noted in his editorial last week, the devil will be in the detail.