Workforce development: Youth work sector deserves clear distinction, says union

The union wants the Government to set up separate funding streams for each area, and working groups involving stakeholders and government on each theme.

Doug Nicholls, general secretary of the CYWU, said: "If the Government wants to make a serious strategic, cost-effective approach to preventive work it should create some stakeholder groups with the key people who could enable that to take place, rather than having the current ad hoc set of short-term arrangements."

The union makes its recommendation in its response to the joint Treasury and Department for Education and Skills consultation on services for children and young people. The final document from this will inform the Comprehensive Spending Review later this year, which will set out public service funding priorities for the next decade.