We welcome Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy and applaud the government’s engagement with over 14,000 young people in shaping it. Listening to youth voices is fundamental, and it echoes NYAS’s mission to ensure that no child or young person is alone or voiceless in the care system, leaving care, in court, or in spaces where decisions are being made about their lives.
The strategy’s emphasis on trusted adults is vital. For children in care, this is not just a principle, it’s a lifeline. NYAS calls for the expansion of Independent Visitor services so that every child in care has access to a consistent, trusted adult outside the system. Currently, uptake is far too low, and we urge the government to set ambitious targets to increase this percentage significantly.
We also strongly advocate for advocacy to be opt-out rather than opt-in. Every child and young person should automatically have access to an advocate when decisions are being made about their lives, whether in care, leaving care, or in court. This is fundamental to safeguarding their rights and ensuring their voices are heard.
The chapter on being Seen and heard resonates deeply with NYAS’s new strategy and values. It must underpin implementation, ensuring that children in care and those facing adversity are not just consulted but empowered.
While we welcome investment in youth services, Young Futures Hubs, and local transformation pilots, these commitments must be backed by long-term, sustainable funding and robust accountability measures. Children in care and those most at risk must remain a priority throughout delivery.
NYAS stands ready to work with government and partners to turn this vision into reality, where every child is seen, heard, and supported by a trusted adult.
