Briefing: Youth Services in the UK

Youth services (also known as ‘youth work’) cover a broad range of activities for young people outside formal education, including youth clubs and centres, uniformed and voluntary organisations, youth counselling, outreach, and drug and alcohol services. These services may be open to all young people (universal services) or aimed at specific groups (targeted services).

This briefing outlines recent policy developments, funding arrangements, and evidence on the role and impact of youth services.