Welsh Gov: New plans to simplify youth work funding and improve access

The Welsh Government has reviewed how youth work in Wales is funded, with a focus on sustainability, accessibility, and equitable distribution of resources, according to a statement by Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle.

The review, conducted with Wrexham University, the University of Wales Trinity St David, and Cardiff Metropolitan University, examined funding streams for both local authority and voluntary sector youth services.

The findings will inform future policy and legislative changes to improve support for young people.

Ms Neagle acknowledged the complex nature of youth work funding and thanked organisations and young people who contributed to the research.

Key recommendations

While the third phase of the review aimed to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of youth work, this was not possible due to a lack of up-to-date Wales-specific data.

However, an update on the findings and areas for further research will be published in the coming weeks.

Among the 12 key recommendations, the Welsh Government has committed to several actions:

• Developing a long-term funding model: The government has pledged to work with local authorities and voluntary organisations to create a sustainable and equitable funding system. This includes extending the Strategic Voluntary Youth Work Organisation Grant to a three-year cycle and ensuring smaller specialist organisations have access to funding.
• Reducing bureaucracy in grant applications: Youth organisations have raised concerns over the complexity and administrative burden of funding applications. The government has already simplified the process for some grants and will continue reviewing other funding mechanisms.
• Improving data collection and transparency: A lack of consistent reporting has made it difficult to assess funding impact. The government will review annual audit processes for the maintained sector and consider equivalent data collection for voluntary youth organisations to provide a more complete picture.
• Providing training on grant applications: The review identified a need for greater support for youth organisations in securing funding. The government will build on a Workforce Development Pilot, which has already offered training on fundraising strategies, and continue offering annual training sessions for organisations.
• Strengthening accountability in funding decisions: A new statutory framework for youth work is being developed, requiring each local authority to create a strategic youth work plan in collaboration with the voluntary sector. This aims to improve transparency in funding decisions and ensure youth services are fairly distributed across Wales.
• Exploring the creation of a national youth work body: A new central organisation could oversee funding distribution, workforce development, and planning at a regional level. This is being considered as part of wider legislative changes to strengthen youth work provision.
• Ensuring young people have a voice in funding decisions: The review recommended increasing youth participation in decision-making, particularly in grant applications and funding allocation. The government will continue promoting the Children and Young People’s National Participation Standards to encourage meaningful youth involvement.
• Balancing local decision-making with national oversight: While local authorities currently decide how much funding to allocate to youth work, the review highlighted significant regional variations. The government is not in favour of ring-fencing funds within local budgets, as it could have unintended consequences for other services, but it is looking at other ways to ensure fair and consistent funding across Wales.

Legislative changes and future planning

The review findings will also feed into ongoing consultations on strengthening the legal framework for youth work in Wales.

The government is exploring how a national statutory framework could ensure all young people have access to quality youth work services, regardless of where they live.

Ms Neagle reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth work, stating:

“Youth work plays a crucial role in supporting young people’s development, confidence, and participation in society. We must ensure that funding is sustainable and that services are accessible to all young people, regardless of where they live.”