A draft copy of the document, seen by Young People Now, states that children's trusts will be responsible for commissioning all activities for young people in their local area. They will be encouraged to promote competition to provide activities, and increase the use of the voluntary and private sectors.
The draft document does not define the role Connexions or local youth services will play under this approach. But there is clear evidence in the document that Connexions is under threat and some indications that the youth service may be sidelined.
A large part of the work Connexions does, such as offering general advice and guidance to all young people, will be transferred to schools and colleges.
Youth support teams based in extended schools or community centres will deliver targeted support. The idea is that vulnerable young people will be in contact with one member of the team, who will deal with all initial concerns and referrals to specialist services.
Children's trusts will take over many of the traditional roles of local authority youth services, including organising activities and developing outreach programmes for young people.
The Government also intends to merge existing youth advice web sites to avoid duplication and to build on the success of services such as Frank, Sexwise and Connexions Direct.
The paper is due to be fully implemented by 2008.
- See Analysis, p8.
