Youth sector data standard

The youth sector data standard is a set of standard questions designed specifically for organisations working with and for young people.

What is this standard?

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 data standard has been developed in response to a shared ambition, across the youth sector, to build a greater collective understanding of the range and extent of our activities with young people, and identify shared challenges and opportunities. ​ The collaborative nature of this initiative is also a recognition of the shared challenges the sector has faced through the current crisis. Information and insight is more crucial now than ever, and we are working together to better coordinate and consolidate our efforts. This directory demonstrates the extent of this issue: compiled with by our colleagues in the NYA research hub with our support, it lists more than 100 surveys relating to young people and the youth sector which have been issued since the lockdown began in March 2020.

Version 1.1

The latest version of the data standard was published on 9th July 2020. Along with the addition of questions related to representation and voice, and issues relating to restarting services over the summer period, a key feature of this version is that we have included the option for organisations to identify themselves, rather than remain anonymous. 

This will enable us to build a more clear picture of who we are reaching with this initiative, avoid duplication, and provide specific updates, analysis and reporting. Over time, our aim is to provide the means for organisations to compare your data against national and regional benchmarks. Crucially, identification is entirely optional, and any identifying data provided will be stored securely and separately from all other information submitted. 
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For findings and reflections relating to the second version of the standard, please click here.

​You can also download an anonymised version of the whole dataset here.

For findings and reflections relating to the first version of the standard, please click here.

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or concerns - hello@youthimpact.uk.
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The Centre for Youth Impact is providing central coordination and management of this initiative, working closely with key stakeholders across the sector, including: 
NYA, UK Youth, the Network of Regional Youth Work Units - England, Young People’s Foundations Trust, John Lyon’s Charity, the National Lottery Community Fund, DCMS, Interim Youth Work Board (Wales), Principal Youth Officers Group (Wales), CWVYS, WLGA, Youthlink Scotland and Youth Work Alliance.

We are particularly grateful to Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for their joint support of this initiative.