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The new statutory framework for youth work has been published.The new framework will come into force on 1 April 2026. The statutory framework will help champion youth work, ensuring that it is valued and understood and that it continues to respond to young people’s ever-evolving needs.
A summary document has been produced for young people. Please do share this with the young people in your settings to build an understanding of how they can help shape the local youth work offer as well as hold decision makers to account.
If you have any queries about the framework, get in touch with us via youthwork@gov.wales
The Education Workforce Council (EWC) is seeking new Quality Mark assessors to support organisations working towards the Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales. This opportunity enables experienced practitioners to contribute to strengthening standards and recognising high-quality youth work practice across the sector. Assessors play an important role in supporting continuous improvement and celebrating impact.
Find out more and apply: Find out more and apply on our website.
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WellFest 2026 will take place on Saturday 16 May, 11.00am–4.00pm at Llwyn Isaf (Library Field), Wrexham. This free, family-friendly wellbeing festival is co-produced with young people through the Young Leaders Advisory Board and promotes positive mental health in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Inspired by the Five Ways to Wellbeing, the day will include interactive activities, taster sessions and community stalls. All are welcome.
Further details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE8IY_1dUO0
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Fourteen young people from Wales participated in the Ireland–UK Youth Forum in January 2026, joining peers from across Ireland and the UK in Dublin. Supported by Youth Cymru and representing over ten Welsh organisations, they contributed to discussions on shared challenges and future cooperation.
The Forum strengthens international collaboration while ensuring the voices of young people from Wales are heard at the highest levels. Recommendations developed during the event will be shared with leaders across both nations.
Youth workers can play a key role in helping young people reconnect with their Child Trust Fund, an overlooked savings account many 18–20 year olds may not realise they have. By raising awareness, signposting to the official GOV.UK ‘Find a Child Trust Fund’ tool, and offering practical digital support, practitioners can help young people access funds that may support education, training or independent living.
Find the official tool:
English: https://www.gov.uk/find-child-trust-fund
Or further resources
Welsh Government is providing £300,000 of additional funding through the Youth Support Grant (YSG) to strengthen support for LGBTQ+ young people in schools and settings with secondary aged learners.
The funding will support local authorities to work with partners, including the voluntary sector, to boost youth work provision and make sure LGBTQ+ young people can access safe, inclusive and targeted support in their local area.
This could include activities such as establishing support groups, promotion of youth services and delivering activities that help young people connect.
We would like to hear from individuals from the youth work sector and beyond who are interested in taking part in sub‑groups to support the National Body for Youth Work Delivery Board.
The subgroups will draw on a broad range of experience to help ensure work to establish the National Body for Youth Work is informed by diverse perspectives.
Two subgroups will initially be established, focusing on:
- finance and resources, and
- governance and accountability.
We envisage the time commitment to be 3 to 4 online meetings over a 6-to-8-week period this spring.
If you would like more information or would like to request an expression of interest form, please email the Youth Engagement Branch. The closing date is 5pm 6 April.
The Youth Endowment Fund has published a new research report sharing valuable insights into what helps keep young people safe from violence. The findings highlight evidence‑based approaches, key challenges, and practical recommendations for organisations working with young people.
Read more here: Youth work and violence prevention: Practice guidance for youth work commissioners on how to reduce children and young people’s involvement in violence
To note: Guidance only available in English.
Youth Cymru delivers the Summer Jobs Programme across Cardiff, Newport and Swansea, supporting young people aged 16–25, particularly those who may face barriers to employment.
The programme ran successfully in summer 2025, helping young people build confidence, improve well-being and develop employability skills. Each participant was matched with a supportive local employer and received wraparound guidance from a dedicated youth worker.
The initiative offers meaningful work experience, new skills and positive connections that can shape future opportunities.
Click here to find out more
Youth Cymru works with partners across the sector to source a broad and representative range of content. Organisations are encouraged to share relevant updates, opportunities and good news stories that support national youth work priorities.
Further details on submission timelines and requirements are shared ahead of each edition.
If you would like to contribute to a future bulletin, please get in touch via email. A style guide and information on word counts for each section will be provided.
Content should be sent to GICYWW@youthcymru.org.uk.
Follow updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GIC.YWW
Deadline for the next bulletin: Please submit content by 1st May 2026.
Get in touch via email (youthwork@gov.wales) if you want to contribute to the next bulletin. We'll provide a style guide for submitting articles to us, with information on the word count of articles for the various sections.
Please remember to use #YouthWorkinWales #GwaithIeuenctidCymru when tweeting to raise the profile of Youth Work in Wales.
Follow @ieuenctidcymru on X and Facebook to keep up to date with all news.
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