EXPERT COMMENT LAST UPDATED : 04 JULY 2023
Securing adequate levels of financial support for the youth work sector remains an ‘uphill climb’ – despite the announcement of a £3 million funding pot over the summer – says an expert at Birmingham City University (BCU).
“The Million Hours Fund (MHF), announced this week, is a positive move forward for the youth work sector across England,” said Chloe Dennis-Green, Lecturer in Youth Work and Communities at BCU.
“Given the growing cost-of-living crisis, it may allow some space for youth work organisations to get creative with summer activities that support pro-social behaviour in their communities.
“A welcome part of this news is that staffing costs can be covered by the fund. With services for young people often relying heavily on volunteers, this is a step forward. The sector has lost many professionally qualified youth workers over the last decade, so the funding could be used to help bridge this gap.”
Despite the fund representing some green shoots for the sector in the short-term, Dennis-Green stresses that much more needs to be done.
“The main focus of the funding is towards supporting the anti-social behaviour action plan - which aims to eradicate anti-social behaviour across communities – for which a mere £3 million is not enough.
“Since 2010, the youth work sector has seen its funding cut by around 70%, which works out to over £1 billion. The MHF is open to just over a thousand areas in England; if an organisation in each area were to receive funding, this would mean a share of under £3,000 each.”
The academic added that financial backing for aspiring youth workers undertaking placements as part of their training is key to a vibrant, sustainable sector.
“In the West Midlands, we’re optimistic about growing the number of professionally qualified youth workers. At BCU, we provide professional placement opportunities to aspiring youth workers through our JNC accredited programme.
“But securing adequate levels of financial support, including long term employment, is an ongoing, uphill climb.
“The MHF may bring more opportunities for youth workers into regions like the West Midlands, and it may also bring more investment into the sector over the longer-term.
“It’s not a silver bullet though. Significantly more funding is needed to reverse the damage caused by huge cuts over the last decade - and ultimately support youth workers to play a key role in our communities.”