Youth Services policy and practice guidance

The National Youth Work Strategy for Wales (2019)

The Youth Work Strategy for Wales (2019) complements the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014. Under the Act, local authorities have a duty to undertake preventative work and provide or support the provision of services that:

• promote a child’s upbringing
• prevent their contact with their contact with the criminal justice system

According to the National Youth Work Strategy for Wales:

• youth workers should adopt a rights-based approach
• provide safe environments for young people
• support the development and wellbeing of young people
• offer targeted and universal provision
• work with young people’s ‘skills, resources and time’

Youth services should also:

• promote and actively encourage opportunities for all young people
• help improve their life chances
• support young people through significant changes in their life

Youth work can be delivered in range of settings such as schools, the youth justice system or in community centres. It can also occur via outreach, street-based or mobile work. It can involve targeted work or informal information giving either one to one or in groups

Learning and Skills Act 2000

Youth services should support young people aged between 11 and 25 to participate in education or training, obtain employment and participate in their communities.

Youth work us underpinned by section 123 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 which states that local authorities should:

• provide youth support services
• secure the provision of youth support services
• participate in the provision of youth support services

This includes helping them to access services, support and experiences according to their needs. This is underpinned by:

• developing trusting relationships between young people and youth workers
• supporting young people to have good relationships with their peers
• accessing to safe spaces in their communities