What is a Youth Council?

Local youth councils are forums that represent the views of young people at a local level. Run by young people for young people, they give young people a voice and enable them to make their views heard in the decision-making process. They give young people the chance to discuss relevant issues, engage with decision makers and contribute to improving the lives of young people within their communities. There are currently over 620 youth councils active across the UK. They work with all levels of local government including Parish and Community Councils as well as Unitary Authorities, Borough and County Councils.

Youth councils identified their role within the local community as follows:

• representing the views of local young people to decision-makers
• campaigning on issues that are important to young people
• sitting on Youth Opportunity Fund panels
• reviewing the Children's Plan
• sitting on scrutiny panels within their local council
• running the Youth Opportunity Fund
• inspecting local services
• and much more….