Local authority funding cuts to youth support charities

The number of voluntary sector youth support services funded by local authorities has fallen at a time when they are providing more help than ever before, new figures reveal.

A survey of youth information, advice, counselling and support services provided by voluntary organisations shows the proportion receiving funding from their local authority has fallen from 90 percent to 78 percent over the last two years.

A report, published by Youth Access and the Young People’s Health Partnership shows these organisations are under increasing pressure to provide mental health, social welfare and safeguarding services in order to fill the gaps left by cuts to local authority-led youth services.

Around four out of five agencies surveyed for the Picking up the pieces report, which can be downloaded at http://youthaccess.org.uk/uploads/documents/Picking_Up_The_Pieces__FINAL.pdf, said demand has risen for their services over the last year, with only 30 percent of these organisations expecting to be able to meet demand over the next 12 months.

More encouragingly, 29 percent of these organisations reported cuts in the amount of funding from councils, much lower than the 86 percent who reported cuts last year.

The report also reveals that 96 percent of these organisations have good links with commissioners of young people’s services, while 58 percent work closely with mental health commissioners.

The report is based on the results of Youth Access’s fifth annual survey of the sector.