Street-based youth work with vulnerable young people who are not in education, training or employment has expanded significantly in recent years.

But the first major study of provision across England and Wales also points to a shift away from offering longer-term support towards short-term projects where the funding is limited and staff turnover is high.

Forum Response: Jospeh Rowntree Foundation

Professor John Pitts of the University of Luton, a co-author of the study, said: "Street-based work with socially excluded young people is delivering, but it could be delivering a great deal more if its potential impact were more widely recognised and resources allocated accordingly.

"Current funding regimes aim to achieve the closest possible fit between policy objectives and practice outcomes.

"While this has encouraged innovation, tight targeting and time-limited funding have also served to destabilise some projects.

"At least half those we surveyed were struggling to stay afloat. Smaller voluntary sector projects and those run by local residents were especially vulnerable.

"Although some street-based workers were apprehensive about the advent of the government's Connexions support services for young people, it was clear to us that the two should be able to work together effectively.

"Even so, the government ought to be clearer about its expectations of Connexions workers and their flexibility to adapt to local circumstances, if they are to link up successfully with existing street-based projects.

"We also hope there can be fuller awareness of the time it takes to help vulnerable young people gain confidence and maturity, in place of the arbitrary cut-off points set by many existing funding regimes for street-based youth work."

Forum Response: The Prince's Trust

A spokesman for the Prince's Trust said: "Our research shows that 92 per cent of all 14-25 year-olds believe there are gaps in provision of services at a local level.

"As a result, one in five disadvantaged young people would not seek help or advice from anyone. Young people tell us that front-line services do not always meet their needs.

"At The Prince's Trust we are looking at how to best reach and support these young people.

"We are developing a skills-based approach to much of our work providing, young people with the practical skills and qualifications to enter education, employment and training and escape the downward spiral into crime and poverty.

"Long-term mentoring support provides impartial advice and a sympathetic ear. By introducing better ongoing support into all our work we hope to support young through the difficult early stages of turning their lives around and help them stay on track.

"A realisation by all funding bodies that voluntary organisations are working towards long-term outcomes would help us all in providing the best services possible for the hardest to reach young people."

Forum Response: British Youth Council

Blossom Young, chair of the British Youth Council, said, “BYC welcomes the research recently published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.  It indicates the vital role street based youth work has to play in impacting on young peoples’ lives, particularly those who are hardest to reach and most in need of intervention.