Young people

Local authorities seek to balance the need to enable young people to be more engaged in their communities and encourage positive activities, while at the same time looking to tackle aspects of behaviour and crime. The LGA believes that young people should have more choice and influence over services and facilities that are available to them.

We work closely with the National Youth Agency (NYA) on young peoples' issues. The NYA is one of three education support organisations to receive funding from a top slice of local government grant under the Local Government Finance Act 1988.

Supporting services for young people

Under the umbrella of the Children's Improvement Board (CIB) Positive for Youth announced the setting up of a small network of Youth Innovation Zones to act as pioneers and assist wider development of new approaches.

Hidden Talents – tackling youth unemployment

In this report we propose a new deal enabling councils and local partners to pool £1 billion of funding to support the 260,000 most disengaged young people into work and learning; and to reconnect education and skills provision with local jobs.

Youth contract funding

The Government announced a £126 million youth contract provision for 16-17 year olds on 21 February. Public, private, voluntary and community and social enterprise sectors are invited to submit bids by 5 March. Local authorities can bid too.

Youth funding project

This project uses five case studies to illustrate how councils across the country have used statutory funding alongside private, voluntary and community sector funding to provide services to young people. The case studies give an insight into what is possible and may act as a guide for others wishing to replicate some of the initiatives in the report.

Resettlement of young offenders: how local initiatives can make a difference

This report gives examples of local initiatives both local government and voluntary sector that are addressing these problems, in order to reduce the likelihood of re-offending, help young people to get their lives back on track and protect communities from harm.

The National Youth Agency services brochure

The National Youth Agency (NYA) is one of three education support organisations to receive funding from Communities and Local Government, under the Local Government Finance Act 1988. The LGA has oversight of the work supported by this funding. The £1.4 million annual funding supports key areas of the Agency's work and promotes the role of local government and its partners in youth policy.