Bernard Davies has sparked an animated debate on Children and Young People Now. His Open Letter criticising the Agency’s response to the Comprehensive Spending Review was met with a stern, if distorted reply from Fiona Blacke, the Chief Executive.

Find the Open Letters here

Follow the debate and have your say on the forum

In the midst of this argument NAYCEO has raised its head and criticised the Coalition Government’s cuts.

Cuts in grants to local government have seen a 50% reduction to the Connexions Service which gives careers advice to young people and support to unemployed young people. As youth unemployed rises the very services which help young people gain employment are being reduced. Youth Services which provide young people with personal development opportunities have been slashed. Services provided by the voluntary sector and local council face draconian cutbacks.

NAYCEO , the Youth Services managers organisation, is dismayed by the destruction of Youth Services by the Coalition Government.
Colin Chapman a spokesperson for NAYCEO said, “it has never been easy to be a teenage. At the moment it is very difficult for young people to get a job. At the very time there should be an investment in services which provide information and advice or opportunities for personal development we are seeing cutbacks at an unprecedented level.”
The voluntary sector is seeing big cutbacks in commissioned work and grants. The Big Society will fail to deliver if infrastructure for youth clubs and projects is not supported.
NAYCEO is calling for the Government to Invest in Youth.

Colin continued we should stop” seeing young people as suitable cases for treatment and potential criminals more as a precious resource to encourage and nurture.
A new commitment to the values and principles of youth work centred on ‘face to face’ and ‘group work’, within integrated youth support services or its equivalent.
A universal service which young people can choose to join.
A ‘Youth Offer’ available through statutory and voluntary partnerships to ensure all communities has accessible services outside formal education. This to include, advice and information, sporting, cultural and outdoor activities.
The voices of young people who do not thrive in ‘committees’ are heard and their needs responded to.
A positive approach to young people on the streets, to include a national network of detached and outreach work. Mobile facilities to be available in communities with little current provision.
National support for accredited programmes in school holidays based on the ‘FutureVersity’ model – where young people get opportunities to gain skills and qualifications in informal environments.
A trained and qualified workforce at all levels across the voluntary and statutory sectors. High quality training for full time, part time and volunteer workers using nationally agreed criteria.
Training to focus on the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to create a flexible and responsive workforce who can relate to and empower young people.
A continuing commitment to the national network of youth parliaments and forums.
A secure future for the youth opportunities and youth capital fund.
The over 60’s are entitled to free local travel, this offer to be extended to all under 18’s so young people can access personal development ,education, training and work opportunities”