Unlocking Potential – the Role of Youth Work in Education

This week at the Labour Party Conference, OnSide hosted a powerful panel event exploring how youth work and education can work together to better support young people, particularly those struggling within the formal education system.

OnSide CEO Jamie Masraff opened the session by highlighting the rise in persistent school absence and the importance of addressing the challenges young people face both in and out of the classroom. The discussion made clear: there is no single solution but youth work must be a key part of a more holistic, joined-up response.

Chloe, 18, from OnSide’s Youth Advisory Board, shared her personal story of stepping away from mainstream education and the importance of feeling heard, understood, and supported.  She emphasised that many young people who leave school are not disengaged but rather let down by a system that doesn’t meet their individual needs, and called for more tailored, student-centred support, reminding the audience that “education is not the same for everyone” and should not be treated as a one-size-fits-all model.

Other panellists including Steve Chalke MBE, Members of Parliament Kirith Entwistle and Josh Dean, and Ed Davies from the Centre for Social Justice, shared insights from their own experiences and work with young people across the country.  Key themes included:

• The vital role of youth workers as trusted adults who help young people navigate challenges and re-engage with learning.
• The need to move beyond siloed thinking and see young people as whole individuals, not just through the lens of a single issue.
• The importance of collaboration between schools, youth services, and government to deliver a joined-up system of support.
• Calls for greater investment, flexibility, and long-term commitment to youth services including placing them on a statutory footing.

The session made a compelling case for putting youth voice, youth work, and tailored support at the heart of education and policy reform, ensuring that every young person is supported in a way that works for them.