"More staff than ever" employed to support young people in Birmingham
Birmingham City Council announced reform for their youth services
Birmingham City Council said they are reforming their services for young people by employing "more staff than ever".
It follows a consultation that concluded on January 17 2025 which collected more than 1,500 responses from young people and youth workers.
What changes will there be to youth services in Birmingham?
The Council said there would be an increase in the number of full time and part time permanent posts, under the reforms.
They also promised no planned youth centre closures.
Specialists posts will also be built, which means certain youth workers will have expertise in dealing with young people with SEND and children with care experience, for example.
It has been possible by additional funding from the central Council budget.
Why did Birmingham City Council want to change youth services?
Councillor Mick Brown, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families said the youth services provision for Birmingham has been his biggest challenge:
"We started off with quite a limited offer. What we have been able to do is expand it, because we have listened to what people have got to say about our services," he said.
He said that youth workers trained in specialist posts will transform the provision:
"At the end of the day, it is not a 'one size fits all' option for Birmingham. The needs and demands in different parts of the city all differ.
"We want a responsive service that reflects to the different wants and needs in that area," he said.