Our Better Together: Youth Work with Schools research report demonstrates that the holistic support provided by youth workers, when delivered in and with schools, improves young people’s wellbeing and engagement with school.
An independent review of the impact of youth work delivered with schools, commissioned by the National Youth Agency, between 2022-3, revealed that youth work significantly improves engagement with learning and barriers to attendance, as well as boosting young people’s mental wellbeing and confidence.
The Better together: Youth work with schools report, published on 19 June 2023, is the result of a call for evidence and a survey of schools and youth work organisations to illustrate where youth work is taking place with schools and alternative provision, the different models of delivery and the impact on pupils.
The report was commissioned in the wake of the Covid pandemic as school absences soared. At the time of the research an estimated one in six 7- to 16-year-olds had a probable mental health disorder (according to NHS Digital in 2022) exacerbated by unmet demand by Children and Mental Health Services.
It drew upon case studies and interviews collated from over 200 organisations, illustrating where youth work is taking place with schools and alternative provision, the different models of delivery and the impact on pupils.
The report evidences how youth work has a positive impact on young people’s wellbeing, as well as promoting their safety and community cohesion. It can be particularly effective in supporting young people at key transitions such as moving up to secondary school and leaving formal education.
An expert panel drawn from education and youth services supported the review, co-chaired by former Children’s Minister Tim Loughton MP and former Shadow Education Secretary, Kate Green, OBE.
”“This report highlights the potential for youth work, hand in hand with formal schooling, to provide young people with the holistic support and interventions needed to enable them to thrive at school. It also demonstrates that we are far from achieving the full potential of youth work with schools. Systemic change will require leadership from government, school leaders and communities to break down the siloes between government departments and different agencies, so that the needs of all young people can be fully met.”
Kate Green OBEDeputy Mayor of Greater Manchester.
This report highlights a range of youth work models.
One beacon initiative is at the Oasis Waterloo Hub linked to the Oasis South Bank Academy, Waterloo, London. Young people can self-refer to the Oasis Hub youth work provision if they are experiencing problems at home or school, or simply to explore what youth work can offer them. Young people at risk of exclusion can also be referred in by the school. Games, cooking and sports are all employed as a conduit for building positive peer to peer relationships, learning to work as a team, manage conflict and build confidence. The young people can also access therapy sessions on the adjacent farm, involving animal care and cooking in the farm kitchen.
”“We know our students will face many different challenges as they grow up, and we do everything we can to help them through whatever life throws in their way. The relationships our youth practitioners build with students make a huge difference to building confidence and improving wellbeing, encouraging and supporting them to succeed at school, and keeping them safe. Youth work is an intrinsic part of our education offer at Southbank, and at the heart of what we provide to students and their families. It can be life-changing”
Anna RichardsonPrincipal, Oasis Academy, South Bank.
Ridwaan and Idrianna’s stories
Watch our short film about Ridwaan and Idrianna’s experience of youth work at Oasis Waterloo Hub
Report recommendations include:
- a dedicated Minister for Young People at the Department for Education to drive forward a National Youth Strategy joining up education and youth services
- dedicated, stable and joined-up funding is required that is supported by greater accountability from strengthened statutory guidance at national and local levels to put youth work on a surer footing with schools and facilitate more cross-sector working
- an enhanced Ofsted inspection framework with further measures and metrics to assess quality, consistency and longevity of external partnerships that aim to support the personal wellbeing of young people
- a joined-up approach for training and workforce planning between schools and youth work, such as integrating youth work values and approaches into initial teacher training and CPD training, and offering a transition pathway from teaching to youth work for recently qualified teachers who leave the profession
