Youth services: Opportunity cards could hold statutory youth service funds

Anne Weinstock, director of the Supporting Children, Young People and Families Directorate, told Young People Now that if the concept proposed in the Youth Matters green paper establishes itself, all money allocated to statutory youth services could be loaded on to cards for young people to exchange for services.

"We are testing different ways for young people to be in the driving seat as users and shape the offer," said Weinstock. "Services must think outside the box. For example, youth services don't have to compete with the private sector; they could form partnerships with it."

It is understood that one statutory youth service is considering linking with a health club chain and the voluntary sector so young people can exchange card points for sport and leisure activities.