The National Youth Agency: Empowerment - The NYA welcomes focus of Youth Taskforce Action Plan

The plan sets out 18 commitments, backed with £234.5 million funding.

It will focus initially on: improving government's response to antisocial behaviour through support and challenge for young people and their families, and prevention through targeted youth support; using a "whole family" approach to tackle young people's problems; ensuring young people from most deprived areas can access positive activities; and work with government offices and other bodies to improve local authority performance.

Fiona Blacke, chief executive of The National Youth Agency, said:

"Most young people manage the transitions between childhood and adulthood without problems. However, some young people fail to thrive and behave in ways that are unacceptable and so need extra targeted help. I am delighted that a major focus of the Action Plan is on supporting families, communities and services to tackle those young people's problems at source and to respond strongly to young people in trouble. I believe the taskforce will act as a catalyst to ensure we all work together to make a difference for our most vulnerable young people."