While details are sketchy, the tone of the announcement once again puts young people at the centre - and will provide funding for new services and activities for young people.
The good news is that the needs of older children and young people are being recognised. As we begin to develop integrated services which place the child at the centre, we must not forget that these services need to reflect every stage of a child's life, not just the formative years. With 50 per cent of children in out-of-school clubs aged eight years and over and 22 per cent aged over 13, we need to strive to ensure the needs of older children are met alongside those of the younger. Only 12 per cent of 11- to 16-year-olds attend a youth club or after-school club and this is a statistic we need to tackle head-on to ensure that older children aren't left out of the loop.
Kids' Clubs Network's Make Space research shows that young people don't have access to what they want - a place that is theirs, open after school and holidays, with things to do and take part in, where they can chill with friends.
But we know that few have these options and the media headlines of teenage boredom, vulnerability and crime give us stark warnings of the consequences. If we are to encourage new services for children, let's be bold.
We have to start designing our communities for the young people who live in them. The Young People's Fund could help make that happen.
* For more information on Make Space call the campaign helpline on 0207 522 6960.
