Commission into Sufficiency

Positive for Youth, the Government’s policy for young people and youth services, confirmed that the statutory duty to secure access to a local offer is to remain.

In line with the localism agenda, decisions about ‘the offer for young people’ will be determined at a local rather than national level. However, the revised guidance for Local Authorities on Services for Young People is unclear what a good or sufficient offer should look like. Positive for Youth simply states:

‘Whether services are provided in-house or externally, and how in-house services are managed, is a matter for local authorities. However local authorities are encouraged to look at new integrated and partnership approaches to meeting young people’s needs…. And to avoid service reductions which may leave young people at risk of poor outcomes.'

The Need for the Commission into Sufficiency

As the leading body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency established a Commission to determine what can be viewed as a “sufficient offer” of local provision for services for young people. 

The Commission was made up of key figures from the statutory, voluntary and academic sectors, and a young person experienced in this area.

After gathering and scrutinising evidence from across the youth sector the Commission into Sufficiency has published its findings into ‘what is a sufficient youth offer’.

One important recommendation is that central government establishes a targeted Youth Premium. Similar to the Pupil Premium in formal education, it will ensure disadvantaged young people get access to high-quality youth work support.