Our response to the National Youth Strategy

We welcome to the launch of the Government’s National Youth Strategy and its commitment to giving young people the agency and support they need to thrive. 

The Voice of Young People 

The Strategy’s extensive engagement with young people represents a significant and positive shift, adding legitimacy and relevance to its vision. The FEA Youth Steering Group (YSG) have been involved throughout the youth engagement process, including as DCMS Youth Collaborators, presenting their ideas for the strategy in parliament and completing the Deliver You survey.  

Steering Group member Thomas said of the process and Strategy: “It’s been a real privilege to see this come together. I welcome many of the announcements in the strategy, including the focus on places to go that are safe, inclusive, and well-resourced; things to do that build skills, confidence, and community; people who care - trusted adults, youth workers, and mentors; and young people being seen and heard within the strategy and wider society” 

Other members of the FEA’s YSG also welcomed the Strategy. Ryan reflected that “It’s brilliant to see that the government has taken charge on keeping children safe online as well as offline, as our world becomes more prevalently dependent on the internet.” Another YSG member, Sefatlin, said “The changes being brought to ensure people are aware and feel safe within their surroundings, and to access to better facilities for work, will help children from underprivileged backgrounds to gain the same opportunities as others” 

Trusted Adults, Youth Centres and Clubs 

The FEA has long called for every young person to have a trusted adult. The accompanying State of the Nation report found that around one in five young people (aged 13–17) in England and Wales do not have a trusted adult outside their family. We are therefore pleased that the National Youth Strategy commits to addressing this by expanding the roles of youth workers and mentors in early intervention, ensuring all children have access to a trusted adult. 

We also welcome the £15 million to support youth sector workforce development, and the significant investment in youth facilities and out-of-school experiences. These spaces are vital social infrastructure, providing safe environments and opportunities for enrichment beyond the classroom. However, FEA YSG member Ryan cautioned that there is a risk not all areas will benefit: “It would be nice to see more than 50 youth hubs opened across the country. Children in more rural areas deserve to have the same access to external resources and trusted adults as those who belong in big cities” 

Renewed Calls for a National Wellbeing Measurement Programme 

The State of the Nation report highlights the urgent need to address young people’s wellbeing. It found that out of 27 European countries, the UK is last in how happy 15-year-olds are with their life, and a third of young people (10 to 19) said they felt alone or lonely some of the time. This reinforces the need for a national youth wellbeing survey accelerate the action young people need to improve their wellbeing, as has been championed by the Our Wellbeing, Our Voice campaign.  

Making this a Reality 

To realise the ambitions of the National Youth Strategy, implementation must prioritise disadvantaged communities to close participation gaps and tackle entrenched inequalities. Transparent reporting on progress toward the 2035 goals is essential, alongside mechanisms that enable young people to hold decision-makers accountable. 

From Neighbourhood to National 

The strategy advocates for three important shifts – national to local, fractured to collaborative, and excluded to empowered. These are principles echoed by the FEA’s new Neighbourhood to National strategy, and our place-based partnership with three Mayoral Combined Authorities. The success of the Strategy will depend on strong cross-sector collaboration to create a joined-up system of support. This is a view shared by YSG member Thomas, who argues that “accountability is essential - and that means all of us playing a part. Government, local authorities, charities, professionals and young people themselves all have a role in making sure this becomes real change, not another missed opportunity.” We look forward to playing our part working alongside this Strategy to deliver improved outcomes for young people.