Lynne Neagle MS, Cabinet Secretary for Education
Following on from my statement in June on key work underway to establish a sustainable model for youth work in Wales, I would like to provide a further update on the progress of this work and next steps.
At that time, I announced my decision that work should get underway to establish a national body for youth work in Wales. I am pleased to report that the first meeting of the national body’s delivery board has taken place, marking a significant milestone in our journey. The delivery board will drive the creation of the national body for youth work, ensuring progress against milestones. It will provide leadership, advice and challenge on remit, funding, governance and stakeholder engagement. The delivery board will also align the national body for youth work with other organisations, shape sub-groups, and utilise their insights to inform workstreams, supporting robust organisational and financial structures.
The membership of the board is as follows:
- Sharon Davies - Head of Education, Welsh Local Government Association
- Steve Davis - Principal Youth Officer, Pembrokeshire County Council
- Steve Drowley - Chair, Education Training Standards Wales
- Paul Glaze - Chief Executive, Council for Wales for Voluntary Youth Work Services
- Loren Henry - Chief Executive, Urban Circle
- Sian Lewis - Chief Executive, Urdd Gobaith Cymru
- Catherine Taylor - Principal Youth Officer, Denbighshire County Council
I am grateful to all these colleagues who have agreed to contribute their time and expertise in support of our aim to establish a structure which builds on the strengths of our sector, advocates on behalf of youth work and ultimately enhances the youth work offer for young people across Wales.
I consulted on draft proposals for a new statutory framework for youth work earlier this year. Following careful consideration of advice received from the voluntary sector, local authorities, the Youth Work Strategy Implementation Board and wider stakeholders, I am pleased to announce that I have made the decision to proceed to finalise the draft statutory framework. The new framework, comprising of statutory directions and statutory guidance, will be brought into force by April 2026.
The new framework will place a statutory duty on local authorities to ensure the provision of youth work - this is unprecedented and reflects my commitment to extend the benefits of youth work to more young people. The framework will also introduce a new planning and reporting structure which will enable Welsh Ministers and crucially, young people, to hold decision makers to account for decisions relating to the youth work offer in their area.
The new framework will require local authorities to produce five year strategic plans – I want to be clear that there is an expectation that these strategic plans will be developed and delivered in close collaboration with the voluntary sector and other partners. This is about what is best for young people and I therefore expect to receive strategic plans that represent a partnership approach – a pooling of resources, a collective vision for how best to meet the needs of young people within our communities and driving youth work forward. The first five year strategic plans are currently planned to commence in April 2027, with a period set aside from early 2026 onwards for partners to work together on the development and finalisation of these plans.
The new statutory framework and the establishment of a national body for youth work are part of a wider programme of work which will collectively lead to a strengthened youth work offer for young people in Wales. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has engaged so positively in this work to date and look forward to further collaboration as we move through this next phase of work.