The Government expects Local Authorities, in partnership with non-profit voluntary and public organizations, to demonstrate strategic leadership, and to have a clear understanding of local circumstances, which impact upon the lives of young people. They must assess and analyse the nature of the needs of local young people and demonstrate how they use their resources in order to address those needs. The Local Authority Youth Service should:-
- ensure it is a key contributing partner to Connexions and local preventative strategies;
- ensure young people actively participate in specification, governance, management, delivery and quality assurance of youth services;
- take a leading role in representing youth service interests at local, regional, national and European governmental levels;
- provide high quality youth work;
- ensure safe environments provide a facility in which the community has confidence.