How YWU supports the sector

Funding

A listing of available funding from small one-off grants to multiple year funding.

Regional, National and International News

Latest news in the Youth sector, Regionally, Nationally and Internationally.

Reports

The latest reports affecting the sector, finding information and links to them all here.

Resources

Useful resources for Youth Work Practitioners

Jobs & Opportunities

Current roles in the youth work sector from across the region.

Events & Training notices 

A listing, with links to the YWU events and more.

Funding

We are all too aware of the difficulties faced by all providers of youth work in these difficult times with rising costs to provide and increasing demand on services continue. Funding becomes even more vital we aim to provide access to funding opportunities from small one of grants to long-term multiple year funding.  

  • The Impetus Skills Grant Round is now open for applications from eligible non-profit organisations in England, Scotland or Wales. This initiative aims to support young people aged 16-24 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) and come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

    Impetus seeks to partner with two non-profit organisations that focus on developing work-related skills. The key objective is to improve employment outcomes for these individuals, particularly those who are lower qualified or come from specific ethnic backgrounds, such as Pakistani, Black, Mixed, Gypsy, or Irish Traveller communities.

    Successful applicants will receive £100,000 of core, unrestricted funding for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of longer-term support. In addition to financial backing, organisations will benefit from hands-on assistance provided by the Impetus Investment Team to enhance organisational capabilities. There is also access to pro bono expert support, peer learning forums, and opportunities to influence policy related to youth employment.

    To qualify for the grant, organisations must be registered in the UK as charities, social enterprises, or non-profits. Further Education Colleges delivering specific NEET to EET programmes may also apply. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to employment outcomes, work directly with at least 100 young people, have a minimum turnover of £250,000, and have at least ten staff members.

    Supported projects should focus on helping NEET young people through the development of vocational or essential skills, and the work must be conducted in England, Wales or Scotland.

    A webinar will be held on 26 March 2025 (10:00am). Registration is via the Impetus website.

    The application deadline is 17 April 2025 (23:59)

  • Impetus has announced its latest initiative aimed at supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in mainstream schools. The programme focuses on improving school attainment outcomes for students aged 7 to 18 and seeks to partner with one eligible non-profit organisation.

    The selected partner will receive £100,000 in core, unrestricted funding for an initial year, with the possibility for ongoing financial support from Impetus. Alongside the funding, the organisation will benefit from hands-on assistance from the Impetus Investment Team, designed to enhance organisational capabilities. Access will also be provided to a network of pro bono experts covering areas from strategy planning to legal support, as well as opportunities for training and networking with existing partners.

    Eligible applicants must be registered charities, social enterprises or non-profit organisations based in the UK. They should primarily focus on improving attainment outcomes while being involved in related areas such as wellbeing or health. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum turnover of £650,000, based on their last audited accounts, and employ at least 10 full-time equivalent staff members. The programme must work directly with at least 250 young people each year who face socio-economic disadvantages.

    The funding can be used to deliver educational interventions directly to students, executed through various formats including one-to-one sessions and group activities. The programme should predominantly take place in England and aim for students to achieve expected standards in reading and maths SATs, as well as Grade 4+ GCSEs in English and maths.

    This funding opportunity is not open to schools, academies, alternative provision schools or alternative provision multi-academy trusts (AP MATs), organisations focusing on attainment outside of English and/or maths (eg, science, geography, history etc.)

    A webinar will be held on 1 April 2025 (14:00). Registration is required.

    The deadline for applications is 17 April 2025 (23:59).

  • We are delighted to announce that the Women and Girls Match Fund 2025 applications are now open and close on Friday 30th May. Through our Women and Girls Match Fund, we’re committed to working with exceptional charities dedicated to serving the women and girls in our communities, fostering a future where every individual can thrive without limitations.

Regional, National and International News

  • 17 March 2025

    National & International News

    Government digital inclusion action plan

    Schools from every corner of the UK are invited to test their tech skills for the chance to be crowned Cyber Explorer champions, Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has announced. The Cyber Explorers Cup kicked off on Wednesday 6 December giving pupils between 11 and 14 years the opportunity to compete in cyber security challenges.

  • 17 March 2025

    National & International News

    Tesco to Trial Giving Away Expiring Food to Shoppers

    Schools from every corner of the UK are invited to test their tech skills for the chance to be crowned Cyber Explorer champions, Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has announced. The Cyber Explorers Cup kicked off on Wednesday 6 December giving pupils between 11 and 14 years the opportunity to compete in cyber security challenges.

  • 17 March 2025

    Funding | National & International News

    £2m Boost to Help Young People Earn or Learn Across England

    Youth Futures Foundation has announced new targeted support for marginalised young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) or a ...

  • 17 March 2025

    National & International News

    ‘Worrying’ Number of Teens Lose Disability Benefits

    Schools from every corner of the UK are invited to test their tech skills for the chance to be crowned Cyber Explorer champions, Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has announced. The Cyber Explorers Cup kicked off on Wednesday 6 December giving pupils between 11 and 14 years the opportunity to compete in cyber security challenges.

Reports

Resources

  • The 3 Levels of Government You Need to Know About The Democracy Box

  • Introduction to Combined Authority Mayors The Politics Project

  • Introduction to Local Elections The Politics Project

  • Shout Out UK and the NCS invite you to a free CPD session on Empowering Youth for Active Citizenship

Job Opportunities

Are you looking for your first role in youth work? Or perhaps you are looking to use your established knowledge and skills in a new role. Our jobs listing may just be what you need.

Individual organisations are invited to list their vacancy(ies) on our page for free. However, the YWU take no responsibility for the content of external vacancy listings.

Do you have a vacancy you want to advertise? Contact the team on theunit@youthworkunit.com

Youth Worker Opportunities

Here you will find opportunities for all working with young people from training opportunities to being involved with national projects. Please note that unless clearly stated these opportunities are not provided by the Youth Work Unit and do not take no responsibility for their content.

Do you have an opportunity you want to advertise? Contact the team on theunit@youthworkunit.com

Events & training notices 

Here at the YWU we provide several events from our youth workers networks to our annual conference. We provide training in all aspects of youth work and beyond many are delivered specifically for individual organisations, though occasionally we do offer open courses for anyone to enrol.

More information about training the YWU can provide can be found here for more information contact the team on theunit@youthworkunit.com  

Learn more about our training

Training is a vital resource for supporting and developing the youth work sector workforce including volunteers. It promotes retention, progression and of course the best possible experience for young people.