Devolution must be about people, not just powers

This week, we attended Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, joined by Youth Steering Group member Osob. The mood was buoyant and the theme of ‘Hope Again’ ran through speeches, panels and conversations. We listened, contributed and tested FEA’s thinking with politicians, policymakers and partners on what devolution, AI and a renewed focus on children and young people could mean for our shared mission. It was wonderful to see so many of you there too, and to feel the excitement around your collective work.  

Three reflections from Liverpool

1. Real change will require all of us to prioritise the greater good  

One line from Andy Burnham’s speech particularly stayed with us: that sometimes you have to “rip the plaster off” and endure some pain to make things better. The inequities facing children and young people – in education, employment and beyond – are simply too great for us to believe they can be addressed without changing how we work, where power sits, and sometimes sacrificing things we value in the system we have today. That requires bravery, humility, and a willingness to put outcomes for young people ahead of organisational or institutional interests.

2. Devolution must be about human change, not just infrastructure change

Devolution was everywhere in Liverpool – although what people meant by it varied greatly. Are we talking about transferring powers to strategic authorities, strengthening local government, or giving communities greater power?

For FEA, the opportunity is not simply to move budgets, powers, and accountability from one layer of government to another. We need national infrastructure and guardrails that protect equity; regional leadership that can convene and align; and strong local relationships that enable genuine collaboration around children and families. Devolved government has already demonstrated what it can achieve with physical infrastructure such as transport. The opportunity now is for it to enable human infrastructure too: the relationships, trust and collaboration needed to change lives.

We explored this at our event at conference, ‘Devolution that Delivers for Children and Young People’, with speakers from neighbourhood to national level, including Minister for School Standards Georgia Gould MP, Leader of Liverpool City Council Councillor Liam Robinson, Lib Peck from the Greater London Authority, Emma Lord from Capacity and Youth Steering Group member Osob.

3. Yes to tech, but even more so, yes to humans

There was huge interest in AI, alongside considerable excitement and uncertainty about what it will mean for education and employment. Rather than waiting for the answer, we need to help shape how this technology is used so that it narrows inequity rather than widening it.

But what struck us most was how often the conversation came back to people. We heard enthusiasm for child-centred devolution, investing through a child-focused lens, and collaboration across sectors. The Prime Minister’s rallying cry of “All Together” can only become real through human connection: people building relationships across organisations, sectors and places and choosing to work differently together.

Youth Steering Group member Osob told us: “To be in the spaces of so many changemakers was such an incredible experience! I’ve learnt so much about the work that goes into collaborating with charities and parties and local communities.”

What next, and how can you get involved?

The final report of the Milburn review into young people and work is expected in the next few weeks, and devolution is moving from legislation to delivery, with strategic authorities taking shape across England. Both will influence how children and young people are supported in the places where they live.

We will share more soon across our Member Bulletin, socials and on our website, and in the meantime please do reach out to us with any questions.

Change happens when we work together, across organisations, sectors and places.