The National Youth Work Census collates data regarding the state of youth work in England which help us inform policy and funding decisions. Everyone who works in the youth sector needs to get on board to help us make a case for more investment in youth services.
The National Youth Work Census helps to shape the future of youth work in England by bringing together the views of providers from across the country.
The only comprehensive national survey of its kind, it provides a vital snapshot of the state of youth work in England right now.
Not only does it demonstrate the huge impact youth work has on society, it identifies areas for change, discrepancies in funding and areas of local need.
It acts as a powerful tool in arguing the case for more investment in youth services and can help shape both local and national funding decisions.
More than 2,100 organisations have participated in the Census to date – our interactive map highlights nearly 28,000 locations in which these organisations are providing youth work. This number is growing each year.
Together we are stronger
FAQs
Who is the census for?
If you’re delivering support to young people, places where they can have fun, with the support of a youth worker and volunteers who advise, guide and create opportunities for young people then you should be included.
It’s open to:
- Youth clubs
- Youth workers in schools, hospitals and other settings
- Uniformed groups
- Other professionals who support young people using youth work principles
It looks at things like budgets, types of activities provided, expenditure, the make-up of staff teams and ratios of paid staff to volunteers. It also focuses on the issues and topics youth workers are regularly dealing with right now.
Whoever your work is funded by, whether its Local Authorities, charities or the voluntary sector, we want to hear your views.
The National Youth Agency has been funded by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport to deliver the Census and analyse the data.
How can the census help you?
Completing the Census should only take around 15 minutes, but will bring numerous benefits.
Taking part helps you, and others, to:
- Be more visible to commissioners and partners
- See what else is being offered in your area so you can identify partnership opportunities
- Make stronger funding applications – it’s a powerful tool to demonstrate a local need for provision in your area
- Identify best practice and innovation elsewhere that you can learn from – or showcase your own
- Get access to funding opportunities, events and resources via the Youth Work One website (where the census is located)
Why do we need the census?
We launched the Census two years ago to provide a clearer picture of where youth work is taking place and how it is funded.
Our latest report shows that with over a decade of cuts to local authority funding, fewer services are being offered directly by councils, with the voluntary and charity sector disproportionately delivering youth work.
Despite growing recognition of the value of youth work, notably the sector achieving key worker status during the pandemic, there is no consensus on what constitutes a sufficient level of provision.
The Census data will also help us to collectively present a case for further investment in youth work.
How do I complete the census?
The Census is located on the Youth Work One website, a platform for best practice resources, training, events and funding opportunities for the youth sector.
You’ll need to register on Youth Work One before completing the Census.
The Census itself should take no longer than 15-20 minutes to complete if you have all your details to hand.
- Contact details
- Charity Commission Register Number (if applicable)
- Companies House Number (if applicable)
- Locations where the organisation operates, along with days of operation in each location
- Waiting list length (in months)
- Sources of income e.g. charitable donations, sponsorship, national government grant funding etc.
- Budget for this financial year
- Expenditure for last financial year
- Length of time your reserves would allow normal operation for
- Number of full time and part time employees, and their youth work qualification levels
- Number of volunteers, and their youth work qualification levels
Is there a deadline?
There is no deadline for completing your Census return. It is a year-round live survey.
We do however, undertake an annual analysis of the data and present our finding to the Department of Cultuure, Media and Sport. This State of the Nation report is published each Autumn and disseminated to key decision-makers, such as local/national government, MPs, Local Authority CEOs and funders.
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Complete the Census
Visit the Youth Work One website to take part.
Help us spread the word
We need your help to ensure the Census is as comprehensive as possible.
You can show that you have completed the Census by posting the ‘I’ve completed the Census badge’ on your social media headers or profile pictures.
You can also share the ‘We completed the National Youth Work Census’ post on your social media channels – it might just encourage a colleague working in the sector to follow suit.
Census reports
The National Youth Sector Census has been supported by Youth Futures Foundation, Local Government Association (LGA), and The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
National Youth Sector Census – Snapshot Report 2023
This report provides an analysis of the data received from 920 youth work organisations between March 2022 and April 2023, providing a snapshot of the Sector.
National Youth Sector Census: Report #2, Delivering Youth Work in England
Summary evidence of qualitative research from local authorities, youth and community organisations, young people, and analysis of secondary data.
Initial Summary of Findings from the National Youth Sector Census
An initial summary of the data that has been collected from over 25,000 organisations or sub-units of organisations from all parts of the sector and the country.
