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Peer Review Programme
and Peer Networks

In Autumn 2023 we commenced a programme of Peer Reviews for Local Authorities to enable them to confidently assess the needs of young people in their area and fulfil their Statutory Duty for youth work.

To support the exchange of learning across the youth sector, the NYA is facilitating two Peer Networks for Lead Members and Officers with a responsibility for Children’s and Youth Services.

Peer Review Expression of Interest now open


The Peer Review programme is now open to new expressions of interest for the 2025/26 financial year. We are excited to announce that we will be offering three Peer Reviews over the next 12 months:

  • June – July 2025
  • Sept – Oct 2025
  • Jan – Feb 2026 

If you are interested in taking part, please review the EOI guidance here and complete an expression of interest here.

About the Peer Review Programme 

In Autumn 2023 we commenced a programme of Peer Reviews for Local Authorities to enable them to confidently assess the needs of young people in their area and fulfil their Statutory Duty for youth work. To support the exchange of learning across the youth sector, the NYA created two Peer Networks for Lead Members and Officers with a responsibility for Children’s and Youth Services. 

What is a Peer Review?

A Peer Review visit takes four days to complete, and includes an onsite review of services, meetings and interviews with key stakeholders to evaluate impact, culminating in a final report and action plan. Councils receive ongoing support from the NYA to support implementation of their improvements.

The Peer Review programme is funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and builds on the success of a pilot in 2024. We have continued to deliver the programme throughout 24/25, completing nine Peer Reviews have been delivered with the expertise of NYA professionals, sector experts and our dedicated Young Reviewers. 

A Peer Review is free for LAs to access and will be delivered over four days by a team consisting of Peer Reviewers, NYA staff and young people, where appropriate. The Peer Review framework covers the following areas:  

  • Leadership and Management  
  • Practice and Impact  
  • Sufficiency  
  • Partnerships  
  • Youth Voice and Participation 

Watch this short clip to hear from our young reviewers:

“I think our lived experience of youth work is much fresher in our mind than it is of the current professionals and I think we offer good insight into what good youth work has looked like for us and how to transfer that across other regions and locales.”

IvanYoung Reviewer

Key highlights from the Peer Network launch event on 20 March 2024

Léna Hartmann, Youth Strategy Team, Department of Culture Media and Sport
speaking about the challenges and priorities facing government.

Leigh Middleton, NYA introducing the role of NYA in championing the youth sector and supporting Councils to deliver a youth offer which meets local need.

Imogen, Young People’s Foundation Trust describing the aim of Local Youth Partnerships to promote collaboration between those working in the youth sector.

Peer Networks

To support the exchange of learning across the youth sector, the NYA is facilitating two Peer Networks for Lead Members and Officers with a responsibility for Children’s and Youth Services.

The Lead Member Network will support Lead Members to meet the Statutory Duty by providing evidence and insight from NYA and other local authorities. These meetings will focus on showcasing examples of funding models, collaboration with other sectors and needs assessments. Lead members will meet online every six months. To join the Lead Member Network you will  be the lead member for children and youth at your local authority (usually on the children and youth scrutiny committee) and have responsibility for Section 507b of the Education Act (1996).


 

The Officer Network will provide members with an opportunity to share good practice from both the peer and service reviews. This will include sharing insight from the NYA research to support local conversations around the impact and value of youth provision. Officers will meet online every quarter. To join the Officer Network you should be a council officer with lead responsibility for Section 507b of the Education Act (1996).


 

To find out more and express your interest in joining one of the Networks please email us at support@nya.org.uk 

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Complete a Peer Review expression of interest

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