November EC Meeting 2019

The Labour Party’s Vision for Rebuilding Youth Services

A flexible approach Traditionally youth work professionals in this country have viewed the ages of 11-19 (up to 25 for young people with SEND) as being appropriate for youth services, with a common understanding that most will access provision between the ages of 13-19. Transitions from primary to secondary school age, and from secondary to further or higher education and employment are significant too. The new environments young people inhabit today require interventions at an earlier age. For example, in some cases children as young as eight have been involved in drug ‘county lines’, in carrying or concealing weapons, and in a variety of behaviours that are severely disturbing and new. Under Labour, youth services will be flexible to the needs of young people. Calculations for core funded age range for delivering statutory youth services will be 11-19. However LYPs will be encouraged to decide if early intervention is needed, recognising that individual development does not occur at a standard pace and there should be flexibility on either side of this age bracket to support some young people with particular needs, such as young people leaving the care system or with disabilities. Local authorities and their partners are best placed to identify the most effective approach for their young people and will be able to determine this. Funding under Labour will be based not on the young people reached but the need identified in plans and therefore allows for spend to be flexible according to the local need.

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