Support for young people across Oxfordshire has received a major boost, with Oxfordshire County Council awarded £634,347 from central government through the Local Youth Transformation Pilot.
The council is among a select few in England that continues to significantly invest in youth services, despite having no statutory obligation to do so. The funding will help shape a sustainable model for youth provision that could be replicated both locally and nationally.
Councillor Sean Gaul, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Youth work is not a luxury but a necessity. It helps young people build resilience, access opportunities, and thrive in their communities. We’re proud to be chosen to design futureproof, inclusive youth support that meets the needs of our diverse county.”
The funding will be distributed among local partners who provide youth support, enabling them to allocate resources to projects across Oxfordshire over the coming months.
The council’s targeted youth support service (TYSS), launched in 2021, already provides one-to-one and group work for young people aged 11 to 18 (up to 25 for those with additional needs). Its programmes focus on aspirations, confidence, and community connections, while addressing key issues such as exploitation, violence against women and girls, and social media risks.
Detached, street-based youth work also forms part of the service, responding to communities affected by crime and anti-social behaviour and building trust with young people in their own neighbourhoods.
A recent peer review, involving the National Youth Agency and trained young reviewers, praised the service’s person-centred, strengths-based approach and its success in reaching diverse and underrepresented groups.
Read more: Young people praise Oxfordshire Youth Support in new peer review
Councillor Gaul added: “By working with schools, police, health services, and community organisations, we’re tackling broader challenges like emotional wellbeing and school engagement. Our collaboration with the voluntary sector ensures support reflects the real needs of local communities and their young people.”
Further information about Oxfordshire’s targeted youth support service is available on the Oxme website.
