National Body for Youth Work (NBYW) in Wales Delivery Board meeting: 23 April 2026

• Ruth Meadows (Chair), Director of Tertiary Education, Welsh Government (RM)
• Sharon Davies, Head of Education, Welsh Local Government Association (ShD)
• Steve Davis, Principal Youth Officer, Pembrokeshire County Council (SD)
• Steve Drowley, Chair, Education Training Standards Wales (SDr)
• Paul Glaze, Chief Executive, CWVYS (Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services) (PG)
• Sian Lewis, Chief Executive, Urdd Gobaith Cymru (SL)
• Catherine Taylor, Principal Youth Officer, Denbighshire County Council (CT)
• Dyfan Evans, Head of Youth Engagement Branch, Welsh Government (DE) 
• Victoria Allen, Senior Youth Work Strategy Manager, Welsh Government (VA) 
• Bethan Langmay, Youth Work Strategy Manager, Welsh Government (BL)

Apologies

• Loren Henry, Chief Executive, Urban Circle (LH)
• Jo Trott, Deputy Director, Learner Pathways, Welsh Government (JT) 

RM welcomed Board members to the meeting. No conflicts of interest were declared.

The Delivery Board approved the minutes and action points from the previous meeting.

Action: Officials to publish the minutes from the meeting held on 25 February 2026 on the Welsh Government website

Officials advised that the overall timeline remains unchanged from the version presented at the previous meeting. Board members noted that the overall sequencing remained appropriate and progress was aligned with anticipated engagement and consultation milestones.

Board members provided feedback from discussions with stakeholders across the youth work sector, reporting strong overall support for the establishment of a NBYW and highlighting the importance of consistent sector messaging. Stakeholders’ representations regarding engagement and consultation were also presented by Board Members.

Officials presented key considerations for the Delivery Board regarding governance and accountability arrangements for a NBYW. Board members strongly supported young people playing a key role in the NBYW’s governance arrangements, with appropriate support in place. Members emphasised the importance of presenting governance options clearly and accessibly for consultation audiences and ensuring they demonstrate accountability to the youth work sector, as well as to Welsh Government. Members also highlighted the value of drawing on learning from the governance arrangements in national youth work organisations in other UK nations.

Action: Officials to bring forward, for the Board’s consideration, initial thoughts on how learning from youth work organisations in other UK nations could inform governance arrangements for the NBYW.

Officials confirmed that two time‑limited, task‑and‑finish subgroups were in place focusing on Governance and Accountability, and Funding and Resources. Proposals developed by the subgroups will be brought to the Delivery Board for consideration in due course.

Officials proposed the formal consultation poses questions on the role and remit of a NBYW, alignment with partners’ work, and options for the NBYW’s governance and accountability arrangements.

Members emphasised the importance of meaningful and inclusive engagement with young people in trusted and familiar settings with clear feedback loops demonstrating how contributions influence decision‑making. Members highlighted the importance of ensuring the consultation reflects the diversity of young people in Wales, including those from underrepresented groups. Reference was made to the positive youth engagement model used in previous Welsh Government consultation.

Action: Officials to circulate an updated draft of proposals for engaging with young people in the establishment of a NBYW, incorporating learning from relevant previous consultations.

Officials confirmed that the next Delivery Board meeting will take place on 9 June 2026 and will be held in a hybrid format, with options to attend either in person or online. 

Board members noted the content of the risk register.