Overview

This bill aims to improve youth services in England by mandating the Secretary of State to promote and secure them, requiring local authorities to establish youth partnerships, and outlining the creation of a National Youth Board to oversee standards and resource allocation.

Description

The Youth (Services and Provisions) Bill places a duty on the Secretary of State to promote and secure youth services, leading to the creation of a National Youth Board. This board, comprised of representatives from youth organizations, providers, and local authorities, will advise the Secretary of State on service standards and resource adequacy.

Local Youth Partnerships

The bill requires each relevant local authority (county or unitary authorities in England) to establish a local youth partnership. These partnerships must create youth strategies, including plans for activities, service provision, increased participation, and best practice implementation. The partnerships must also monitor and evaluate youth services, incorporating young people's views.

Youth Strategy Content

Local youth strategies must address various aspects of youth services, including activity descriptions, service analysis, increased participation of typically less engaged youth, improved service availability, and consideration of best practice. They should also promote aspects such as young people's participation in service development, opportunities for young people to create their own initiatives, access to information and counselling, increased community involvement, enhanced education and employment opportunities, equal opportunities, cultural understanding, international visits, arts and cultural activities, sport, and cooperation with other public bodies.

Youth Service Workers

Local authorities must ensure sufficient, suitably qualified youth service workers and provide appropriate training. The Secretary of State will define "suitably qualified" through regulations.

Definitions

The bill defines "relevant local authority," "unitary authority," and "young people" (aged 13-18, or 11-25 if requiring youth service support).

Government Spending

The bill will lead to increased government expenditure, covering the Secretary of State's costs related to implementing the bill and any increases in sums payable under other Acts as a result of this bill. Exact figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

Groups affected include:

• Young people (aged 11-25): Will benefit from improved youth services and increased opportunities.
• Local authorities: Will have a duty to establish youth partnerships and provide services, potentially impacting their budgets and resources.
• Youth organizations and providers: May see increased demand for their services and opportunities for collaboration.
• Secretary of State: Will have a new duty to promote and secure youth services and oversee the National Youth Board.
• National Youth Board: Will be established to advise the Secretary of State on standards and resource allocation.

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