Fifty years on: Lessons from the Albemarle report

Fifty years ago the Albemarle Committee’s recommendations on the youth service started to be implemented in England, leading to the introduction of the modern service. It was the first in the world and became an international model that is still emulated by many countries today.

The basis of the youth service was that society recognised that young people needed places of free association and fun to call their own. A youth-centre building programme began. It was recognised that trusted adults working in an entirely voluntary relationship with young people required professional training and nationally bargained terms and conditions. The Joint Negotiating Committee was born and professional youth work qualifications were introduced.

Albemarle went on to recognise that public funding was required for this service. It could no longer be left to faith, hope and charity. At a time of much higher national debt than we have now a programme of investment began. The essence of this investment was support for a partnership between local authorities and voluntary-sector providers to work together in the interests of young people and for services to the young to be democratically accountable.

Above all, it was recognised that the voluntary relationship with young people and youth workers was educational. Personal and social education was the objective. Young people would benefit from youth work on their own terms for the purpose of enjoyment and, ultimately, ethical growth and communal learning.

Building a service that had young people at its centre and using the complex methods of informal education was a step forward in education reform. It enabled society to be proud of its cost-effective, inclusive education system from cradle to grave. It recognised that young people were part of the community solution, not the problem. It provided professionals capable of advocating for young people and supporting them in finding a political voice. It said young people in every part of the country have a universal right to access universally available, supportive services.

But Lady Albemarle’s committee proposals did not emerge from thin air, nor from the kindness of the government. A huge campaign led by the first youth workers’ union and the whole of the voluntary sector responded to the near decline of youth projects in the early 1950s by united campaigning around core demands for young people. The government had to respond and set up a special committee of inquiry.

We now face a greater challenge than those who campaigned for Albemarle. The post-war consensus that led to this responsive public service is being demolished. The youth service faces extinction. Many local authorities now propose to abandon it. Most others are cutting its inadequate funding base so dramatically that what is left will not meet the needs of young people. Youth work managers see the work now as a form of social work targeting and do not appreciate its educational function. Meanwhile, voluntary sector providers face a funding drought.

As a result young people are losing their right to access universal provision. Consequently, the largest ever coalition in support of young people’s services has been formed and is determined to reverse the decline and rebuild from the already considerable rubble of the once proud service. A key moment in creating our own new version of Albemarle 50 years on will be the Choose Youth Rally on 12 February. Book your place now on www.chooseyouth.org. Make history happen.

Doug Nicholls, national officer, Community and Youth Workers and Not for Profit Sector, Unite the Union