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About NYA

About the National Youth Agency

At the National Youth Agency, we are passionate about young people and believe that they should have a voice in everything that affects them, and that the performance of services will be improved by taking proper account of that voice. We believe that young people have the energy and potential to improve their own lives and those of the community, now and as they grow up.

We are an independent charity and the partner of choice for government, local authorities, businesses and the third sector, delivering with them, and advising and supporting them in the development of programmes and policies for young people.

Our focus is young people’s improvement:

  • We advocate with and on behalf of young people to promote their voice and influence in society
  • We advocate for youth work and youth work methodologies

  • We improve the delivery of work with young people through development of the non-formal curriculum and workforce skills and training. 

Our work includes:

  • Advising government on policies relating to young people
  • Designing and piloting innovative practice
  • Developing quality standards to help local authorities provide the best possible services for young people in their communities
  • Delivering participative action research
  • Validating youth work degrees and postgraduate courses
  • Running an innovative young researcher network

  • Running grant programmes for young people to help them get involved in improving their local community.

Why we believe in youth work

The main purpose of youth work is the personal and social development of young people and their social inclusion. Youth work helps young people learn about themselves, others and society through non-formal educational activities that combine enjoyment, challenge, learning and achievement. We believe youth work methods can be applied in a range of settings by a wide range of professionals, support staff and volunteers, and we are committed to helping people understand and use these approaches.

Everything that we do demonstrates our commitment to improving the lives of young people in the country.

What we offer

Intelligence:  Building information and evidence about youth work, services and the life circumstances of young people to better shape policy.

Standards: Setting and monitoring standards on quality and the democratic engagement of young people.

Partnerships and networks: Brokering and networking between government, agencies and organisations to develop more integrated policy and practice, and effective advocacy.

Knowledge: Providing up-to-date knowledge for policy-makers, service managers and practitioners.

Training and consultancy: Extending skills and understanding through events and bespoke training and consultancy.

Leadership: Promoting positive engagement in national networks and bodies. 

Benefits

Working with us will help ensure services are:

  • Relevant to the lives of young people
  • Responsive to policy
  • Effective and of a high standard
  • Efficient and provide good value and
  • Successful in securing the best outcomes for young people.

Local Government AssociationOur Funders and partners

The NYA is a charity, funded through commercial private and public sector activities.

The Local Government Association also provides a core grant annually to support our work in promoting the roles of local government and its partners in the broad field of youth policy.

Website: http://www.lga.gov.uk/

 

Office of the Civil Society

Civil Society Media is an independent news, publishing and events company focused entirely on charities and other civil society organisations.

Website: http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/

 

Pursuing a career in Youth Work?

To help you find out about pursuing a career in youth work, we have put together the Youth Work Training FAQs for your use.  Please refer to these pages before contacting NYA.  Thank you.

Contact Us

 

The National Youth Agency welcomes visitors and enquiries.  Before contacting us you may find the answer to your question on our FAQs page.  If you have not found what you are looking for, please send us your enquiry using the contact us form >>

Download NYA's lastest Annual Review >>

Find out more about how the National Youth Agency can help you work more effectively with young people.

National Youth Agency
Eastgate House
19-23 Humberstone Road
Leicester
LE5 3GJ

Tel: 0116 242 7350
Email: nya@nya.org.uk
Website: www.nya.org.uk

Find out more about NYA:

A company Limited by Guarantee. Registered No. 2912597 - Charity no. 1035804