Research to inform development of the Youth Work Strategy

This report brings together existing evidence about the challenges and opportunities facing youth work in Wales. It sets out findings, recommendations and a theory of change based on interviews and workshops held with representatives of organisations and young people who are developing and implementing the Youth Work Strategy.

Whilst evidence about youth work services is only available for services provided by local authorities, it shows fewer young people are accessing services and the availability of services in the Welsh medium varies considerably.

Availability of funding to support youth work is perceived by the youth work sector to be the main challenge. A more sustainable youth work delivery model could be achieved through:

• strengthening the legislative basis of youth work
• continuing to provide strong and coherent leadership for youth work
• ensuring greater co-ordination of youth work at a national level
• fostering greater partnership working and co-ordination between local delivery organisations
• recruiting a workforce that it is representative of Wales’ diversity
• supporting the development of the workforce to ensure that it is able to deliver high quality work
• filling data gaps and using up-to-date data to tailor the youth work offer
• young people are involved in strategy development and service design