When tensions flare between young people, small disagreements can escalate into violence. In those moments, youth workers can step in to calm situations, put things into perspective and prevent conflict from spiralling.
But not every young person has a trusted adult outside the home to turn to. And not every young person at risk of violence has access to a youth club, where trained staff provide guidance, support and protection. The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) has published its Youth Sector Practice Guidance to change this.
Everyday moments that keep children safe
The YEF’s new research shows just how common – and how vital – everyday moments in youth work are in keeping children safe. A survey of 300 youth workers in England and Wales found that nearly three-quarters (73%) had provided informal mentoring to young people at risk of violence or crime, and two-thirds (65%) had de-escalated situations that could have led to violence. More than half (55%) had tackled misinformation that might otherwise have fuelled crime or conflict.
The survey was commissioned by the YEF and carried out by the National Youth Agency (NYA), alongside Professor Carlene Firmin and the Contextual Safeguarding research programme at Durham University.
Gaps in access and support
Many youth workers are well placed to understand local risks and spot warning signs of violence or exploitation. Yet in one in eight (13%) local authorities, youth workers are involved in formal safeguarding systems only a few times a year — or not at all – limiting the potential of this insight to prevent harm.
Over a third of youth workers surveyed (39%) reported having no supervision, mentoring or case discussion on violence-related issues, and only a quarter (24%) had received specialist training in violence prevention.
Even when youth workers are trained and supported, children still need access to the spaces where safeguarding happens. Youth clubs provide these safe, open-access environments, where trusted relationships are built, and youth workers can support young people, particularly those at risk of violence. YEF research shows that young people directly affected by violence are twice as likely to attend than those with no experience of violence.
New evidence from the YEF Toolkit suggests that youth clubs may reduce offending by around 13%, improve school engagement by 6% and increase community connectedness by 15%. Yet access is uneven. Since 2010, the number of council-run youth centres has more than halved, leaving some of the most vulnerable children without a local, safe place to turn.
New youth sector guidance to improve access and support
The YEF’s new Youth Sector Practice Guidance sets out eight recommendations to help prevent children and young people from becoming involved in violence.
Among its recommendations, the guidance highlights the importance of equipping youth workers to safeguard children through specialist violence prevention training and full inclusion in local safeguarding systems. It also calls for investment to close the most urgent gaps in youth club access. Local authorities and other commissioners should map youth clubs in their areas, open new ones to improve access for the most vulnerable and increase funding for existing ones.
The eight recommendations are:
- Target support where violence risk is highest.
- Close the most urgent gaps in youth club access.
- Raise the standard and reach of mentoring.
- Maximise the protective power of positive activities.
- Embed sustained support in high-need A&E departments.
- Make multi-year core funding the default.
- Equip youth workers to safeguard children and young people.
- Prioritise evidence-based strategies and avoid harmful approaches.
The guidance supports organisations, including local authorities and Violence Reduction Units, to use evidence when commissioning and funding high-quality, effective youth work in their communities. Its publication is timely, following the Government’s National Youth Strategy, which aims to shift decision-making ‘from national to local’ and strengthen place-based delivery.
”Youth clubs are my sanctuary, a genuine second home where I always felt safe and secure. They opened doors to incredible friendships, expanding my network within the community and surrounding me with people I could trust to keep me safe."
PrinceYEF Youth Advisory Board member
”The benefits of youth work extend far beyond preventing violence. At the same time, the skills and experience youth workers bring make them a powerful force in keeping children safe. Whether through targeted mentoring and structured activities, or the small, important moments, like an arm around the shoulder or a listening ear."
“Our new guidance gives commissioners the evidence they need to advocate for and invest in high-quality youth work that keeps children safe and helps them thrive in all areas of life.”
Caleb JacksonHead of Change for the Youth Sector at the YEF
”This research provides clear and compelling evidence that youth workers are central to preventing violence and harm, offering young people safe, trusted spaces where skilled practitioners can identify risks early, deescalate tensions, as well as act as a bridge to wider services. Yet despite this crucial role, many youth workers still lack the sustained funding, professional recognition and meaningful involvement in local safeguarding systems they need to be fully effective. If we are serious about reducing harm and building safer communities, we must invest in highquality open access youth work and ensure practitioners are properly embedded within safeguarding arrangements, so that more young people can access the stability, trust and belonging they deserve.”
Leigh Middleton OBEChief Executive, National Youth Agency
”The evidence is clear that youth work is not just a response to violence, but an effective form of preventative infrastructure. To realise its full potential, youth workers must be properly trained, respected, and embedded within local safeguarding systems, and youth clubs must be accessible for all young people. That requires long-term, stable investment rather than short-term project funding.
“We welcome the Youth Endowment Fund’s clear, practical recommendations for commissioners and local leaders. If the Government’s commitment to place-based decision-making is to succeed, it must be matched with sustained funding to widen the reach and deepen the impact of youth work."
Rosie Ferguson OBECEO at UK Youth
