fbpx Have your say on DCMS' Statutory Guidance Review - London Youth
Group of people at training

07 October 2019

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) is consulting on Statutory Guidance Review for Local Youth Services, which closes on Sunday 1st December 2019.


The consultation

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) is revising the guidance that lays out the Government’s expectations for local authorities in ensuring that young people in their areas have access to sufficient youth services.

The statutory guidance currently sits within Section 507B of the Education and Inspections Act and was last reviewed in 2012. It  sets out what is expected of local authorities in securing services and activities for young people aged 13 to 19, and those with learning difficulties to age 24, with the purpose of improving young people’s wellbeing. This guidance does apply to any youth sector providers who are not part of local government.

DCMS want the review to focus on the positive role local authorities can play in the provision of youth services and ensuring that the guidance is useful and accessible. The review is not linked to the funding that local authorities receive and will not specify exact nature of services that are decided on in each area.


Questions for the youth sector

1. Were you aware that local authorities had a statutory duty to secure services for young people to improve their wellbeing, and guidance on how to carry it out?

2. How well does the existing guidance advise local authorities on what to take into account when deciding what services and activities to secure for young people?

3. How could the guidance be improved? This could include:

  • The leadership role of local authorities in convening key stakeholders, and securing sufficient services for young people in their local area.
  • The role of qualified youth workers in leading positive activities for young people as part of a local youth offer.
  • The role that other providers, such as the voluntary and civil society sector, can play in providing services for young people.
  • The role of partnerships between local authorities and other key partners in providing a comprehensive offer to young people.
  • Whether local authorities should have a clear statement of what they think a sufficient offer is for activities and services for young people in their area and how they plan to secure it.
  • The quality of the services and activities available to young people as part of their local youth offer.
  • The role of young people in deciding what a sufficient local offer is for these services.
  • Up-to-date examples, contacts and resources that help local authorities and their communities decide what would work in their area.
  • How often local authorities should review their youth offer.
  • Expected outcomes for young people and how these could be measured and evaluated.

4. How could the guidance ensure that young people are able to engage meaningfully in decisions regarding local services?

5. How could the guidance provide more clarity on how local services improve young people’s wellbeing.

6. Do you have any good examples of local authorities playing a positive role in the provision of youth services?


Have your say

If you would like or have your views or evidence included in London Youth’s response, please email Samuel Howell using the link below before Friday 22nd November.


You can keep up-to-date with our latest news and updates by signing up to our newsletter or read more about our policy work.

Samuel Howell, Policy Officer

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