An Update on the National Body for Youth Work in Wales
- Representatives from across the voluntary and maintained sectors and others have been invited by the Cabinet Secretary for Education to join the National Body for Youth Work Delivery Board to work with Welsh Government on shaping and establishing this national body. The terms of reference for the Delivery Board membership details and, in due course, minutes from meetings are all available online (National Body for Youth Work Delivery Board | GOV.WALES).
- The meetings to date have focused on plans for engaging with practitioners and others across the sector, other sectors and organisations with an interest in securing the best outcomes for young people, as well as young people themselves to ensure everyone has an opportunity to share their views. The overall programme timeline has also been discussed as has setting up subgroups to progress key workstreams.
- No decision has yet been made on the role and remit of a national body, but the focus is on developing an organisation that supports and enables stronger collaboration, more innovative practice and builds capacity within the sector whilst not cutting across organisations’ own arrangements for the design and delivery of youth work – a key aspect of how youth work works. A proposed list of functions for the national body has been developed with Delivery Board members (Annex A). This list will be updated as further work is undertaken to refine the functions and consider in detail the alignment between the functions of the new body and other organisations.
- The current estimated timeline for establishing a national body for youth work is approximately 18-24 months. This timeframe allows for listening to views across the sector, building these views into decisions on the precise form and function of a national body, as well as getting the relevant governance and staffing arrangements in place to ensure the national body can deliver on its remit.
- Two subgroups – which are being tasked with looking in detail at issues in relation to governance and accountability, and finance and resources – have been established. We’re grateful for everyone who’s expressed an interest in joining these groups.
- The subgroups will operate in an advisory capacity to support the Delivery Board’s discussions by identifying short, practical options to feed into the ongoing development of a National Body for Youth Work.
- Each subgroup is being chaired by a Board member, and will meet regularly over the next few months to work at pace to explore agreed areas of focus. The work of the subgroups will inform subsequent Board discussions and the development of proposals for a formal public consultation planned for later in 2026.
Draft role and remit for National Body for Youth Work
- Provide strategic leadership to support the local delivery of youth work across voluntary organisations, local authorities and other partners across Wales.
- Facilitate collaboration across the youth work sector, promoting a joined-up and co-ordinated approach to the design and delivery of youth work in Wales.
- Support and advocate on behalf of the youth work sector, providing a single coherent voice on behalf of the sector in Wales.
- Undertake marketing and communication activity aimed at championing youth work within Wales and internationally, raising its profile and building a better understanding of its value within broader education and policy contexts, as well build an awareness of how organisations across the sector contribute to youth work in Wales.
- Undertake and commission research relating to youth work.
- Contribute to policy development both where it impacts youth work and where youth work can contribute to other policy aims.
- Act as a hub for sharing best practice among those involved in the design and delivery of youth work in Wales.
- Co-ordinate a cross-sector workforce development programme, including a training and accreditation framework.
- Raise awareness, within the sector and beyond, of any changes which may impact on the design and delivery of youth work in Wales, including supporting the implementation of the statutory framework for youth work (currently in draft form).
- Support innovation and the continuous improvement of youth work in Wales, including supporting programmes such as the Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales
- Strengthen the Welsh-medium youth work offer for young people in Wales by supporting existing provision and developing new opportunities, approaches and partnerships
- Support and champion youth work’s role in challenging discriminatory attitudes and behaviours within society, as well as taking action to help ensure all young people, regardless of background or circumstance, can access youth work.
- Co-ordinate specific initiatives and projects, which could include a youth information exchange and a Young Person’s Entitlement Scheme.