We need young people ?on board, ‘warts and all'

Brown’s demise might appear to be a blow for youth participation, providing detractors with a case study on why the young should be seen and not heard. But the huge publicity around her case – achieved at a time when the media has been busy debating another certain divisive figure – must be used to strengthen the case for involving young people in public life.

Kent police and crime commissioner (PCC) Ann Barnes put up a robust defence of her appointment of Brown, saying the case only “strengthened her desire to create the post”. The whole premise of PCCs is to give local people more of a say in how the police in their area are run. Other PCCs should not be deterred from seeking out younger people’s views through a youth commissioner. Brown had secured the role against 164 young applicants, and after interviews with Barnes and former and serving police figures, as well as a peer group of young people.

Barnes explained she had not been looking for an “angel” but a “young person, warts and all”. And this is the central point. Vetting procedures will probably now have to include social networking sites, but it would be a shame if Brown’s case results in scores of safe appointments of young people checked out and interrogated for any potential source of embarrassment. It would be a tragedy if it produces a sanitised mould of teenager to represent their peers, trained to parrot the jargon that too many adult practitioners hide behind. Youth involvement in public services will be worth little unless it is authentic.

Away from the policing and crime spotlight, young people across the country already participate in youth councils, children in care councils and other forums. Young commissioners such as those in Central Bedfordshire help drive decisions on youth services to ensure they are fit for purpose and meet their needs. Long may that continue and flourish.


Help put the youth sector back in business

One in three youth organisations say there is a possibility they could close next year, according to our survey. Given the respondents together represent services that work with 300,000 young people, this is a worrying finding. As public money continues to wear away, local businesses must be considered as a source of support, both financial and in-kind. A National Youth Agency report has urged youth groups to work together to connect with businesses, making “one ask” for “one offer” rather than separate approaches.

Meanwhile, evaluation of the government-funded United Futures project suggested youth groups need guidance to promote themselves to business. In these testing times for the youth sector, a little help to help themselves – and the young people they serve – could go a long way.