Society failing young people, says ex-Labour MP King

March 13, 2007 in Young people, Youth justice

Former Labour MP Oona King said today society was failing young people by denying them opportunities, breeding alienation and violence.

King made the comments as the Make Space Youth Review, which she chairs, published an interim report, which called for increased investment in youth and youth justice services.

The inquiry, run by charity 4Children, said mobile intervention teams should be set up in deprived areas to offer teenager offenders support and positive alternatives to crime.

Releasing results from a survey of 7,000 young people, the report said 69 per cent felt there was not enough to do in their local area, 79 per cent would welcome a mentor and 71 per cent would welcome more contact with adults who could support them through problems.

As reported by Community Care last December, the review called for new-style youth centres in every community offering activities, specialist support and opportunities to socialise and volunteer.

It also called for investment in the youth workforce to develop new “youth champions” who would be based in such centres.

The report will be formally launched this morning with a lobby of parliament involving 100 hooded teenagers.

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