1,000 New Youth Workers to Support Young People and Tackle Unemployment Risk

The Government has announced plans to support the training and employment of 1,000 new youth workers across England, as part of a wider investment in youth services.

The new youth workers will support young people aged 11 and over in community settings and through outreach work, with a particular focus on those who may be at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET). They are expected to work alongside services including education, health and crime prevention, helping young people access activities such as sport, arts, mentoring and other youth services. The first new workers are expected to be in place from spring 2027.

The announcement comes alongside a new £450 million Youth Matters Fund, which the Government says will support the construction, improvement and expansion of youth facilities, as well as youth work and activities including sport, music and volunteering. Further details about the fund and how it will be delivered are due to be announced.

The measures form part of the Government’s Youth Matters: National Youth Strategy, which was developed following consultation with 14,000 young people. The wider strategy includes more than £500 million of investment in youth services over the coming decade.

Latest ONS figures estimate that 981,000 young people aged 16–24 in the UK were NEET between April and June 2026, equivalent to 13% of the age group.

Read the full Government announcement