But it also says that more needs to be done to remedy the current fragmentation of policy thinking and service delivery. It puts forward the kind of changes to Government machinery its members think might achieve this, including the establishment of at least two named Youth Ministers to act as a central co-ordinating point in Government. The NYA has welcomed the report as backing the analysis of many in the youth work field. But feels that the analysis confirmed that youth services are currently spread too thinly, suffering from insecure funding and policy drift. The success of future Government measures requires prompt action to support youth services.
Youth workers make a difference because they connect with young people in ways they value.
The government is putting in place clearer duties on local authorities to secure sufficient youth services and produce an annual Youth Development Plan to identify outcomes and plan action. New machinery at ministerial level to coordinate youth policy will help coordination. It is hoped that the proposed changes will make the overall policy framework for young people simpler and more consistent, easier for providers to apply for funding and less likely that young people will fall through policy gaps. The Government agenda for youth inclusion is not solely concerned with the Youth Service but is set to encourage and support partnership working across a wide range of agencies and service providers. My right hon.