Councils have a statutory duty to “secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people” and to make sure young people have a say in the local offer (Section 507B, Education Act 1996). This is often referred to as the ’youth services duty’. The statutory guidance was updated in September 2023, outlining the requirements for local authorities in the delivery of the duty.
Youth services provide essential support to young people, providing them with a safe place, trusted relationships, stopping them from being drawn into negative situations and reducing demand for acute services further down the line. Youth work can also have an economic value through improving educational, employment and mental health. They can also support other council and partner services, such as youth offending services and education. Youth workers are well linked in with their local areas, are responsive to the needs of young people locally, often know young people very well and can support work in key priority areas such as mental health, exploitation and improving school attendance.