2.1e How is the youth sector funded?

Background

DCMS has launched a 10-year strategy for young people in England (10-21, and up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)). The Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy sets out the various ways in which DCMS aims to achieve the goals set out in the strategy, including improving young people's physical and mental health, and wellbeing, increasing their community engagement, connections and feelings of belonging, improving their safety and security (both offline and online), and finally - improving their skills and opportunities for life and work. As a part of our effort to improve outcomes for young people (through the strategy and our business as usual work) we are keen to get a deeper understanding of the space in which we operate. Future research is required to further build our knowledge on ‘what works’ to improve outcomes for young people; the impact of our services; the resilience and funding structures of the sector; characteristics of services; where they are and who attends them; the digital and algorithmic environments shaping young people’s lives; and the importance of place-based perspectives and insights. It is important that all of this future research reflects the experiences and perspectives of potential ‘users’ of our interventions. This policy portfolio welcomes approaches and answers to ARIs seeking understandings of young people’s perspectives on ‘what works’, particularly those from the places that are the focus of DCMS policy.

Next steps

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