The Centre for Youth Impact have launched the first version of a national data standard for the youth sector in the UK. This is a set of standard questions designed specifically for organisations working with and for young people.

Following examples such as 360 Giving and the Social Economy Data Lab, this standard is being developed to gather consistent data, and generate shared insight across the youth sector as a whole. The Centre for Youth Impact is providing central coordination and management of this initiative, working closely with key stakeholders across the sector, including: The National Youth Agency, UK Youth, the Network of Regional Youth Work Units in England, Young People’s Foundations Trust, John Lyon’s Charity, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund, and DCMS.

The immediate goal is to provide one simple process for youth organisations to provide information about their situation and develop a national picture of the current challenges faced by the sector as a whole. The first version of the data standard is available as an online form. It includes a combination of standard fields about an organisation, and specific questions about the impact of Covid-19.

Access the registration form via this link - it is designed to take no more than seven minutes.

Next steps
The Centre will be producing regular analysis and reporting based on the information submitted, and working to refine, extend and update the data standard in the light of feedback. To support others to contribute, and allow them to produce their own analysis as they wish, all of the data gathered will be shared openly.

In subsequent versions of the standard it will also explore the potential for developing a secure registration process, which would allow organisations to develop a picture of change over time, and compare their data to an aggregated national or regional breakdown.

Alongside the development of the standard, the Centre are working with others who are already gathering information from young people about their needs, towards developing a parallel standard approach.

The partnership will be actively promoting this initiative across our networks: please also share this as widely as you can with your colleagues in the sector.

If you have any questions about the standard, please contact - hello@youthimpact.uk