These culminated last week in a tenth conference, a national event in partnership with 4Children, which explored the key issues and success factors involved in delivering quality services for young people. Here we give a reaction to some of the key messages arising from the national event and, on the facing page, some of the emerging issues from the regional events on the four workshop themes of integrated capital strategies; empowerment and young people's participation; integrated workforce planning; and commissioning and market making.
- The detail of a ten year strategy to improve the lives of British teenagers and their families was announced at the national conference by Beverley Hughes, minister for children, young people and families. The moves are set to revolutionise services for young people in local communities.
The announcements came amid the first wave of reforms from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Launched in the summer, the ten year strategy provides a step change in Britain's investment in positive activities and services for young people, to build skills among teenagers and to promote new and better community cohesion.
4Children and The NYA called for more detail on the funding in realising the new youth offer, including: greater detail on the amount of unclaimed assets money to be freed up for youth facilities and support to local authorities in match funding that amount; the mapping and reforming of existing local services aimed at teenagers; and a wholesale workforce development programme to support adults who work with young people in local areas.
The minister detailed government plans for funding a new youth club, refurbished existing youth club or mobile youth facility in every parliamentary constituency.
Anne Longfield OBE, 4Children chief executive, said: "The ten year strategy offers the potential to create a new generation of services for young people, with high quality opportunities offered through a new place to go in every constituency, linked into specialist help for those who need it. The teenage years are a crucial stage of development that we all have a responsibility to get right. With local authorities poised to reconfigure their offer to young people and their families, the ministers' announcements will give much needed support to help them build a better future for teenagers in this country. Responding to the needs of young people and making the most of this potential will be crucial. This is a once in a generation opportunity for change which young people cannot afford for local authorities to ignore."
Fiona Blacke, chief executive of The NYA said: "The government has set an exciting and ambitious agenda. Local authorities and voluntary sector providers must grasp the challenge. Clear leadership is needed at a time of radical change, supporting local authorities and building capacity of the voluntary organisations, including community groups. The genuine involvement of young people in planning, design and delivery is important if there are to be places they want to go to and things they want to do, that meet local needs. Investment in workforce development is essential, for the skilled and trusted adult who will work with young people locally. Our shared priority is for young people to have the best life chances possible. We will work with all of our partners to make this happen."
