Developing Our Members
Developing higher quality services and
support for children and young people
826
individuals
trained!
Young K&C supports improvements to quality of local children and young people’s services through training, advice and support.
Training offer
With many organisations operating on tight budgets, staff and organisational development can feel more like a chore rather than a priority.
Young K&C believes in providing our members access to high quality training and development to ensure our members can grow alongside their children and young people. Our focus is on developing the skills, expertise and resources needed to delivery high quality services for children and young people.
We are committed to empowering a skilled and experienced work force of delivery staff who are able to address the complex needs faced by children and young people in Kensington and Chelsea.
Over the past 5 years, we have delivered over 45 training sessions for our members, all free of cost.
Our transformational training package has equipped staff from the VCS with the skills and knowledge to provide services to children and young people. Each training session is based on the needs and wishes of our members to fill the knowledge and capacity gaps within the VCS.
We cover topics needed for high quality children and youth services, such as:
- Youth mental health first aid
- Cultural competency
- Inclusivity
- Responding to serious youth violence
- Mental health & wellbeing for practitioners
- Safeguarding
- First aid & health and safety
Our Youth Worker Forums bring together frontline practitioners to share skills, learn about best practice and support each other. In shared forums, practitioners can build relationships that provide long term support for the children and young people they
work with.
Qualifications
People working in youth and play work can often take untraditional routes into employment. For some this means attending a youth club and later becoming a senior youth worker. For others it can mean a career change from a dancer into play worker!
We understand the importance of qualifications in the workforce which is why we’ve provided 99 individuals with CPD accredited qualifications over 11 qualification programmes. In some areas of the borough, 25% of residents have no formal qualifications8.
Our qualification programmes not only strengthen the capacity of the local sector but provide direct impact to local workers, ensuring they have the relevant qualifications to further their career journey and leading to better education and employment opportunities for the local community.
Thank you for this. I felt fully involved. It was great to think and reflect on everything we shared.
– Local youth worker
1:1 Support
It can be challenging asking for help or when you’re unsure of the next step but in our 1:1 space, we provide the confidential and judgement free space
to discuss the realities of running youth and play services.
We have facilitated over 450 1:1 meetings with our members over the past 5 years.
Young K&C has a staff team skilled in providing information, advice and guidance. Our teams’ skills come from both lived experiences and professional qualifications in delivering local children and young people’s services, creating a wealth of knowledge and experience to be shared within the sector.
Our approach combines practical advice with strategic questioning to help them navigate the complexities of their work. For questions we can’t answer, we work closely with local and regional partners to sign post our members to the relevant support networks.
8 Golborne Ward, National Census, 2021
Case study
Nxt Generation CIC
Nxt Generation CIC is a small voluntary organisation committed to empowering young people, particularly those who are vulnerable, NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), or at risk of serious youth violence. Nxt Generation focuses on early intervention and prevention, providing targeted support through tailored programmes and inclusive group work.
At the heart of Nxt Generation’s approach is youth voice and lived experiences to ensure young people feel heard and represented through all stages of engagement.
As a grassroots organisation led by local residents, Young K&C’s support has been transformative. Through 1:1 guidance on governance, fundraising, and policy development, Nxt Generation has built a stronger foundation for sustainability and good practice.
Staff from Nxt Generation regularly engage in qualifications and training hosted by Young K&C. This training and development have led to increased skills, confidence and professional knowledge to deliver impactful work for young people. Staff have been empowered with increased opportunities for personal and professional development within the community.
With strengthened capacity and more robust systems in place, Nxt Generation is now better equipped to respond to the needs of young people facing challenges. Nxt Generation continues to play a vital role in building a more resilient, skilled and connected youth sector in Kensington and Chelsea.
The skills and knowledge we’ve gained through this opportunity have directly impacted our work, enabling us to support young people more effectively and share best practices within the community. Overall, it’s helped us grow both as a team and as part of a collective for positive change.
– Nxt Generation CIC