The National Youth Agency: Comment - A new year dawns

On the crisis side of the ledger we can put the continuing painful position held by too many young people: too many in custody, unemployed, being bullied; too many self-harming as a result of emotional distress.

There is too much uncertainty for services for young people as new structural and financial arrangements for children's trusts are created. These pose a risk to youth work's distinctive contribution to improving young people's lives.

But the opportunity side looks somewhat brighter. We should see a renewed emphasis on the needs of adolescents as Youth Matters is implemented.

There is the prospect, at last, of legislation to clarify the role of youth services. All being well, this will be backed up with nationwide standards of what should be on offer and proper resources that will allow the employment of sufficient youth workers.