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Our vision
The vision is to deliver excellent services and provide even more opportunities that result in positive outcomes for children and young people. We deliver youth and play activities, projects, and services that meet emerging needs locally.
We achieve this vision with our Youth Empowerment Grant Programme, consisting of three grants for main funding, small projects and dedicated SEND funding, totalling £857,500 per year. This programme is coordinated and administered by the Council’s strategic partner for youth services, Young K&C. Our Children’s Services Department also supports children and young people through the following services.
Our journey
In 2024, the Council, in partnership with Young K&C, reviewed the youth and community adventure play services we offer, alongside the wider offer available through schools, libraries, parks, and leisure facilities, to shape the future of services locally.
A borough-wide consultation was launched with surveys, focus groups and facilitated sessions.
Following the initial consultation feedback, 4 targeted co-production workshops with the voluntary sector and groups of children and young people. Additional 1-to-1 sessions were held with 14 voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector organisations.
From this engagement, findings were grouped into 5 key themes and priorities were identified:
Inclusivity: Make youth services more inclusive, especially for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Learning and employability: Strengthen pathways into employment, placements and training to create more opportunities for young people.
Physical and emotional well-being and mental health: Strengthen the role of youth clubs in improving young people’s physical, mental & emotional well-being.
Safe and secure spaces: Ensure activities are offered from a range of sites for children and young people that encompass all elements of safety and security.
Celebrating and strengthening the sector via meaningful partnerships: Better promote and collaborate with the diverse range of youth services available to ensure young people lead happy, healthy lives.
Youth Empowerment Grant Programme
The Youth Empowerment Grant Programme (2025-2030) is designed to support the voluntary and community sector in delivering high quality youth and play services. The Programme consists of three grants; Main grant (Contribution to Core Costs), Small grant (Projects and Activities) and Making Space (increasing opportunities for children and young people with SEND)
MAIN GRANTS:
Total Fund: £757,500 per year
Duration: 3 years
Purpose: Supports core funding for play and youth services. Applicants deliver on at least three of the five priority areas.
SMALL GRANTS in partnership with Young K&C and John Lyon's Charity:
Total Fund: £100,000 per year
Duration: 1 year
Purpose: Provides funding for shorter-term projects.
MAKING SPACE GRANTS:
Total Fund: £50,000 per year
Duration: 3 years
Purpose: Focuses on increasing opportunities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
This investment is part of RBKC’s broader vision for a Greener, Safer, and Fairer borough.
The Youth Empowerment Grants programme was developed in direct response to feedback from children, families, and the Voluntary and Community Sector. It aims to increase opportunities for local organisations to shape and deliver youth services that reflect the needs of their communities.
