New guidance for youth workers to build young people’s participation in democracy 

As debate continues around votes at 16, new guidance developed by the National Youth Agency with York St John University and Youth Council UK will help youth workers support young people to understand, engage with and shape democracy.

Bringing Democratic Education to Life: Guidance for the Youth Work Sector responds to research by the Electoral Commission (March 2026), which found that 78% of young people want to learn more about politics, while just 30% of under 18s say they hear about politics in school.

The guidance has been launched at a special event in the Creative Centre at York St John University.

As young people increasingly encounter political content online, youth work provides safe, trusted spaces where they can discuss the issues affecting their lives, understand how they can engage with democratic structures, and build the confidence to participate in democratic life.

The resource includes practical tools, reflective exercises, case studies and guidance to help youth workers embed democratic education into everyday practice. It supports practitioners to navigate political impartiality, present a range of perspectives and create inclusive spaces where all voices can be heard. It also helps them facilitate discussions on current affairs and support young people to respond critically to misinformation and form their own informed views.

Co-authored by Dr Carole Pugh, Senior Lecturer in Children, Young People and Education, York St John University, the guidance highlights how youth work creates reflective and participatory environments where young people can develop critical thinking skills, engage with social and political issues and understand how they can influence change in their communities. It also supports youth workers to facilitate respectful dialogue, help young people distinguish fact from opinion and challenge misinformation in an increasingly complex digital environment.

Dr Carole Pugh, York St John University, said:

“My research demonstrated the role that youth work plays in supporting young people’s political socialisation, providing opportunities for them to get involved in local communities. It also indicated that youth work faced some significant barriers the restricted its ability to deliver democratic education because youth workers were unclear about their remit to address political issues and lacked clear guidance about how to approach impartiality. We hope that this guidance addresses these issues and enables youth work to extend young people’s access to democratic education and participation opportunities.”

While voting is a fundamental part of democracy, the guidance emphasises that active citizenship extends well beyond elections. From serving on local youth councils and leading campaigns to volunteering and taking action in their communities, young people can participate in democratic life in a wide range of meaningful ways and see themselves as citizens with the power to influence change.

The resource reflects the core principles of youth work by promoting young people’s rights and responsibilities, respect for different perspectives and ability to balance their needs with those of others. By shaping activities, contributing to decisions and seeing their voices make a difference, young people build the confidence, agency and sense of belonging needed to influence the world around them.

The publication of the guidance reflects the NYA’s wider commitment to ensuring that all young people, including those at risk of social exclusion, have equitable and meaningful opportunities to participate in democracy.

Esther Horner-Aird, Strategic Youth Voice Lead, National Youth Agency, said:

“Every young person, whatever their background or prior knowledge, should have a safe and inclusive space to explore democracy, discuss citizenship and current affairs, think critically and develop confidence in their own voice. This resource could not be more timely: as the new Youth Council UK gathers pace, it will help youth workers turn those conversations into meaningful action, supporting youth democracy and social action led by young people themselves.”

Lauren Valentine, Senior Education Officer at the Electoral Commission, said:

“Young people are more likely to take part in democracy when they understand how elections work, know how to participate and feel confident that their voice matters. An impartial and high-quality democratic education can make a real difference.

This new resource complements the Electoral Commission’s existing work with educators and youth practitioners, supporting those who work directly with young people to develop the tools, understanding and confidence they need to participate fully in our democracy.”

The publication of the new guidance coincides with efforts by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to strengthen democratic education and participation among young people. Through the Democratic Engagement Fund, the Government is working with civil society organisations to help young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to participate in democracy, engage with public decision-making, and understand how their voices can shape their communities.

The National Youth Agency, in partnership with Youth Council UK and York St John University, will share insights and learning from the publication of their independent guidance, to help support civil society organisations in delivering effective democratic education and engagement activities for young people.

By bringing together academic research, youth work expertise and practical guidance, Bringing Democratic Education to Life aims to equip practitioners with the confidence, knowledge and tools to support the next generation of active, informed and engaged citizens.

Download the guidance at Bringing Democratic Education to Life - National Youth Agency.

Image shows Lauren Valentine, Esther Horner Aird and Dr Carole Pugh at the launch event in the York St John Creative Centre.