Kent Youth Service Consultation

Plans to give local people and groups greater involvement in the running of youth services have moved a step forward following a countywide public consultation.

Since July 2011, Kent County Council has been raising awareness of the need to review how activities for young people are delivered in the future.

Seven hundred people replied to the consultation which ran from 1 August to 29 October 2011. The highest number of responses came from those aged 13-15 (29.6%).

KCC Cabinet member for Customer and Communities Mike Hill said: “Thank you to all those who responded to the consultation.  The response was compelling and reinforced my conviction that high quality youth work changes lives and strengthens communities, something we are all trying to work towards. It was encouraging to see that 74% agreed that the Kent Youth Service was committed to supporting the personal and social development of young people.”

All the responses and comments were taken into account and some suggestions are being investigated further.

It has now been decided that KCC will pursue the plan to have robust directly delivered youth work provided by KCC in each district, which will be supplemented and supported by additional youth work offered by other organisations. No decisions have been made about any specific youth centres and these will only be made following discussions with each district as to their recommendations on how best to meet their local young people’s needs. The new structure would take effect from January 2013.

Mike Hill added: “Discussions will now take place in each district and borough to look at exactly what youth provision is needed and how it might be delivered in each area. I hope local communities and particularly young people will continue to take part in this journey over the coming months to shape sustainable youth services for the future."

More information on the consultation and the plans for the future of youth services in Kent can be found at: