"This is a very exciting development that recognises that youth work can play a vital role in the broad education of young people," said NYA chief executive Tom Wylie. "In recent years, The NYA has worked to develop a local 'youth pledge' that outlines a minimum service that young people should expect, an idea that has been taken up by the Government in its Transforming Youth Work initiative. We now have a further opportunity to ensure that all young people have access to a wide range of quality services."
Broad details of the offer come in the document Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners announced on 8 July. The Department for Education and Skills says it will create more opportunities that enable young people to get involved in their communities but also provide more places where they can simply go and enjoy themselves. In addition, young people should be able to expect support to help them address risks, take part in "exciting and enjoyable" personal and social development activities in and out of school, get high-quality careers advice and a chance to influence the services they receive.
"There is a great opportunity now to further rationalise the way we support young people, to improve co-ordination and to improve quality," added Wylie. "We will do all we can to offer support to these developments through the green paper stage and eventually to legislation that will provide tangible benefits to young people. To that end, we look forward to working closely with organisations including the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services, the British Youth Council and the Association of Principal Youth and Community Officers to help bring together key stakeholders in the youth work field."
