“WHAT IS THE STATE OF YOUTH WORK IN SHEFFIELD?”

A COLLECTIVE ENQUIRY:

In January 2025 the Sheffield Youth Alliance commissioned YMCA George Williams College and Good Work With to undertake an initial piece of work in support of answering the question:

“What is the state of youth work in Sheffield?”

Sheffield Youth Alliance, including Sheffield City Council, are seeking to ensure that the needs and ambitions of all young people are met through an ambitious, high quality, well resourced, safe, supported and connected youth sector.

Key to delivering for all young people across Sheffield is a collective and evidence-driven understanding of the ‘state of youth work’ in the city, and a shared analysis of how the city can best use existing resources (including money, power, position) and new opportunities.

An initial phase of work was led by Gin and Justin from Good Work With in February and March 2025 – it has delivered the following:

1. A framework for enquiry: A bespoke framework for the city that provides the foundations, lines of enquiry, and practical steps towards answering the core question ‘What is the state of youth work in Sheffield?’, encompassing core themes for the effective delivery of youth provision (as set out in the National Youth Work
   Curriculum) as well as assumptions and risks (taken from our understanding and experience of best practice at a local authority level)
2. A reflections report: A report outlining early findings, analysis and reflections on the state of youth work in Sheffield, through our engagement with the Sheffield Youth Alliance partners across the city, and key stakeholders across the public and private sectors
3. A landscape and opportunities report: A report outlining our understanding of the youth sector landscape at local, regional and national levels, and a series of recommendations for Sheffield on aligning to this landscape and meeting council and partner ambitions for young people in the city
4. Action plan: a clear action plan and set of recommendations for a potential Phase 2 of this project, and effective practical use of the framework and implementation of
   findings This document provides a summary of progress made to the end of March 2025, and a proposal for next steps.

You can read more in the documents linked below: