It’s time for youth workers to make some NOISE!
Something that youth work has never been very good at is shouting, loud and proud, about its achievements. Schools do it endlessly, other voluntary sector organisations do it and businesses certainly do it, but in many youth provisions there seems to be a kind of cultural humbleness attached to what they do. I suspect there may […]
Does it matter who pays for the youth service?
A new model of funding is emerging and is gaining considerable traction amongst the not-for-profit sector, including the youth service. There are many terms associated with this new funding model, including, social investment, social finance, social impact bonds, and infrastructure finance. Essentially, a commissioner (central government department) will commission and agree targets and outcomes with […]
Central Government support for the youth service is needed now more than ever
“Michael Gove has, in one fell swoop, effectively managed to undermine the groundwork and ethos for change established in the post 2011 riots and DfE led initiative Positive for Youth, pledging cross-Government support for young people.” Matt Lent urges the Government to reconsider their priorities for the youth service at this time of its greatest need.
A youth sector in crisis with significant challenges ahead
“I genuinely fear that the youth sector will become so eroded that in 20 years time there may well be no structured or coordinated youth provision at all.” Matt Lent lists the challenges facing youth services - and provides a frank warning about the future.