Review of youth workers' role in safeguarding children and young people at risk of or involved in violence
National Youth Agency · 2026
About this report
This mixed-methods review examines how youth workers across England and Wales contribute to safeguarding children and young people at risk of, or involved in, violence and child criminal exploitation (CCE). It finds that youth workers play significant formal, informal, and 'semi-formal' safeguarding roles, but their contributions are inconsistently recognised and recorded across local systems. The research identifies five distinct local partnership models and highlights that the nature of youth work involvement is heavily shaped by whether community safety or children's social care leads the response to violence. Key recommendations include developing a standardised safeguarding pathway, producing national guidance on youth work's role, and improving multi-agency training.
Research details
- Methodology
- SurveyInterviewFocus groupCase studySecondary analysisEthnographicMixed methods
- Sample size
- 1,303
- Sample
- Youth workers (paid and voluntary), youth work organisations, local authorities, and statutory safeguarding professionals across England and Wales.
- Who it's about
- Young people in or leaving the justice system
- Place
- EnglandWales
- Youth involvement
- No youth involvement
- Funder
- Youth Endowment Fund