The National Youth Agency (NYA) has launched a new package of safeguarding guidance, training, and tools to help youth organisations and professionals build safer, more inclusive spaces for young people.
The suite of new resources includes an updated Safeguarding Standards and three new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) e-learning training, together with webinars to promote inclusive practice. The resources reflect NYA’s mission to raise the bar in youth work practice, equipping those on the ground with what they need to provide safe and effective youth work.
Xyna Prasad
National Safeguarding &
Risk Lead at NYA
The updated Safeguarding Standards for the Youth Sector provides a practical framework co-developed with youth workers across the country. It includes a new standard on ‘Health, Safety and Welfare’.
To support implementation, the NYA has launched a free Self-Audit Tool – which allows organisations to assess where they are and what more they can do to build a robust safeguarding culture and practices. Whether an organisation is just getting started or striving for excellence through NYA’s ‘Culture Plus’ model, the tool provides a tailored action plan to guide their next steps.
The NYA has also launched three new free safeguarding CPD e-learning courses, for youth workers, volunteers and allied professionals supporting young people in a wide range of settings. The free courses are available to access online via the NYA Academy, and comprise:
1) Safeguarding Young Leaders,
designed in partnership with Street Games to provide effective safeguarding, supervision, and training guidance for youth workers supporting young leaders
2) Participation of Young People in Safeguarding,
to enable organisations to embed young people’s voices in safeguarding decisions
3) Safeguarding Disabled Young People,
designed in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children to provide guidance to mitigate the specific risks faced by young people with disabilities
The courses offer practical strategies, up-to-date legal context, and insights drawn directly from youth work practice to ensure inclusive, youth–led safeguarding.
On completion, learners receive an NYA Certificate and an NYA Academy Digital Badge – showcasing their commitment to safeguarding excellence.
”“Safeguarding isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about showing up for young people. And for disabled young people especially it means recognising and breaking down the barriers that others might miss. These new resources help youth workers do just that. They introduce practical tools, fresh thinking, and support every step of the way to help youth workers on their safeguarding journey. It’s about creating spaces where all young people feel safe, seen, and heard, and where youth workers are empowered to make that happen.”
Xyna PrasadNational Safeguarding and Risk Lead at NYA
”Developing young leaders is vital to providing opportunities for young people to develop their skills and confidence and is also critical for the future workforce for the sector. However, it is important we do this safely and train young leaders in how to look after themselves and their role in keeping others safe. We are pleased to help produce this course so that this practice can be extended across the sector to ensure positive experiences for young people looking to become leaders in their local community.”
John DownesDirector – Place, Youth and Sport at StreetGames
”“Disabled young people face unique risks and vulnerabilities to abuse that can be difficult to detect, making it crucial for those supporting them to be well-informed. This new eLearning course, co-created with experts from the Council for Disabled Children, provides essential training to help youth workers identify the signs and protect those most vulnerable.”
Bianca KarpfCouncil for Disabled Children
Free disability focussed online Youth Work Insight sessions
Youth work organisations can assess the quality of their existing safeguarding processes using the NYA’s new Safeguarding Standards self-audit tool.
Kicking off in June, the NYA is launching a series of Youth Work Insight webinars that will focus on best practice around disability and inclusion. The four-part CPD series brings together lived experience, expert speakers, reflective learning and peer dialogue, empowering those who work with disabled young people to challenge assumptions, ask the right questions, and build equity into their everyday practice.
View the NYA Events calendar or sign up to join the NYA Network via nya.org.uk to ensure you don’t miss out.
