Cross-government strategy required for young adults

The Municipality Association has urged for a cross-government technique for children and young adults to ensure they are in the centre of the national recovery.

Since the start of the pandemic, children and young adults have made huge sacrifices after experiencing major disruption for their education and losing out on time with their friends and wider family. This is accessory for many teenagers having overlooked their exams, jobs and traditional rites of passage.

As an effect, not only are young people needing to deal with significant social and academic challenges, they are also experiencing their mental health in increasing numbers, plus some have had to live in homes with domestic abuse happening. Young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have been particularly affected by repeated lockdowns and college disruption during the pandemic.

The LGA argues the pandemic is an important chance of national and native government to operate more closely together to achieve shared goals for that national recovery. It's raised concerns over instances where government departments have not aligned their objectives, for example using their child-focused campaigns that has left councils unclear which campaign to prioritise or the way they supported one another, which ultimately risks not delivering better outcomes for children, young adults and families.

Its new policy paper, A Child Centred Recovery, requires a cross-Whitehall strategy that puts children and young people at the heart of recovery, to make sure every child can recover lost learning and life experiences, with local safety nets properly resourced and well organised. A child-centred recovery shouldn’t focus solely on education and children’s services, but additionally good quality affordable homes, space to play, use of libraries, clean air and safe streets.

The LGA is calling for the government’s £500 million Youth Investment Fund – first promised in September 2021 – to be made available as soon as possible and for all local councils to possess enough funding to ensure youth services are for sale to young people. It's also contacting government to revive £1.7 billion in lost Early Intervention Grant funding to councils to assist reinstate some lost services which can help all children, young people and families to thrive.

Anntoinette Bramble, chair of the LGA’s Children and Young adults Board, said: “Our young adults will have the impact of the pandemic for several years to come and it will be more important than ever before to make certain that the best approaches are taken to help families. A cross-Whitehall strategy is crucial that puts children and young adults at the heart of recovery and ensures the services that support children and their families are fully funded therefore the younger generation may lead more enriched and fulfilling lives once we leave the pandemic.

“We want to use government to ‘Build back local’ and help give all children a great childhood and help families to thrive, rather than struggle. This means creating a strategy which will focus on how we can gain levels for the next generation and be sure young adults get the best opportunities, no matter where they are from.”