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Targeted support from local authorities and their partners is helping to meet the needs of vulnerable young people, according to a report published today by Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. However, the report finds that local authorities have made limited progress in involving voluntary, community and private groups in providing youth services, and that the focus on providing services for ‘at risk’ young people risked undermining the youth activities available to all young people.

Supporting young people: an evaluation of recent reforms to youth support services in 11 local areas examines the progress made by local authorities and various youth support services, including youth offending teams, youth services, the Connexions service, voluntary and community sectors, education welfare officers and substance misuse teams to work together for young people.

In the best examples, local authorities took the lead in shaping youth services, working closely with a range of partners, including those from the voluntary and community sectors. These local authorities worked to engage all young people, including the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in activities such as volunteering, sport, cultural pursuits and youth work. These constructive activities helped young people to develop positive attitudes and equipped them with the skills to contribute to their communities.

Over the two-year period 2007–09, eight of the 11 areas visited reported a drop in the number of first-time entrants to the criminal justice system and five had made progress in reducing the numbers of young people who were not in education, employment and training. However, progress on other long-term problems, such as substance misuse and teenage conceptions, was less evident.

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, said:

'Over the past few years, as part of the drive to improve children’s services, youth agencies have been expected to work together to make more of a difference for children and young people. This report shows the green shoots of that change. It is good to see that vulnerable young people are better supported in most of the 11 areas visited. It is also encouraging to see the value of involving young people in developing services.

'However, the new approach is far from embedded. I am particularly concerned that in some areas the priority given to targeted support for vulnerable individuals and group appears to be undermining the contribution which youth services should be making to the development of all young people. There is much in this report that should stimulate discussion about how to improve the youth support services offered locally so they can make even more of a difference to local people and local communities.'

Characteristic of poor external commissioning were a lack of planning, insufficient ambition in considering the services which could be offered, and weak relationships between local authorities and the voluntary sector. Clear changes were taking place but, because of the wide range of initiatives involved and the speed of their introduction, reforms had not yet been sufficiently consolidated locally.

Inspectors found encouraging examples of local authorities engaging effectively with voluntary and community partners to provide services for young people. In one area, a well-established community group operating a club for disabled young people received training, advice and a contribution to running costs from the local authority. The club enabled young people to develop their confidence, independence and social skills through a purposeful mix of games, music, sport, and support. The club also involved able-bodied young people and provided support for parents.

Inspectors found the quality of support and the speed of improvement varied significantly in the 11 local areas visited. Local authorities and their partners were also too slow to measure the impact, quality, and value for money of their ‘positive activities’ to promote well-being. In some cases, the disproportionate focus on support for a minority of ‘at-risk’ young people, including those involved in anti-social behaviour, undermined the efforts to provide activities for all young people to develop their skills and positive relationships.

In addition, there were few examples where targeted support arrangements for young people beyond the age of 16 were as well advanced as for those below that age. The report also highlights the growing recognition of the value of involving young people more directly in developing services and decision-making.

1. The report, Supporting young people: An evaluation of recent reforms to youth support services in 11 local areas, will be available on the Ofsted website: www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/090226.

2. The 11 local authorities visited are: London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council, Brighton and Hove City Council, Dorset County Council, Hartlepool Borough Council, Newcastle City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Stockport Council, Warwickshire County Council, West Berkshire Council.

3. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

The Ofsted national press office can be reached on 0300 123 1231. Alternatively, please email pressenquiries@ofsted.gov.uk