Bringing Democratic Education to Life: Guidance for the Youth Work Sector responds to research by the Electoral Commission (March 2026), which found that 78% of young people want to learn more about politics, while just 30% of under 18s say they hear about politics in school.  

As young people increasingly encounter political content online, youth work provides safe, trusted spaces where they can discuss the issues affecting their lives, understand how they can engage with democratic structures, and build the confidence to participate in democratic life. 

The resource includes practical tools, reflective exercises, case studies and guidance to help youth workers embed democratic education into everyday practice. It supports practitioners to navigate political impartiality, present a range of perspectives and create inclusive spaces where all voices can be heard. It also helps them facilitate discussions on current affairs and support young people to respond critically to misinformation and form their own informed views. 

Co-authored by Dr Carole Pugh, Senior Lecturer in Children, Young People and Education, York St John University, the guidance highlights how youth work creates reflective and participatory environments where young people can develop critical thinking skills, engage with social and political issues and understand how they can influence change in their communities. It also supports youth workers to facilitate respectful dialogue, help young people distinguish fact from opinion and challenge misinformation in an increasingly complex digital environment.