1. Improving Outcomes for Young People Heather Stevens The National Youth Agency

2. What is The NYA? A developmental organisation which supports all those who work to promote the personal and social development of young people

3. The big picture: young people today (big sigh!) Feral youth Sex, drugs and alcohol Obese and unhealthy Gangs, guns and violence Media junkies ……. Our future?

4. And the reality? Being health -Decline in teenage pregnancy -Marked increase in STIs -Concerns about alcohol Enjoying and achieving -Increase in GCSE passes -Desire to continue in learning -but 9,600 permanent exclusions -Enjoyment?

5. And the reality? Staying safe –Increase in number of children and young people on child protection register (32,100 in 2006) –13.8% young men (16-24) experienced a violent crime (general population: 3.6%) –29% of 800 young people under 25 surveyed had been affected by gun and knife crime Economic well-being –75,000 young people experienced homelessness in UK –2007 – 189,000 young people 16-18 are NEET

6. And the reality? Making a positive contribution –Decrease in offences by young people resulting in a disposal but number of offences by young women increasing –175,000 young carers –Volunteering on the increase: 51% of 16-24 A 6 th outcome? –Being valued!

7. So, how can we improve these outcomes? Strong policy context –Youth Matters –Childrens Plan –Aiming High –Education and Skills Bill

8. Challenges Integration, integration, integration! A market environment –Competition v partnership Balance: universal v targeted Keeping up!! Making a difference: how do you know?

9. Guiding principles Access for all young people –Diversity of customers –Transport –Social media opportunities

10. Guiding principles Empowerment –Giving away some control –YOF/YCF – participatory budgeting –Tools exist to help e.g. Hear by Right

11. Guiding principles Quality –Commitment to it –Young people deserve it –A range of tools e.g. NYA Quality Mark, Healthy Youth Work GPGs