We will no longer be providing youth services or targeted early help support to children aged 6-9 after school and during school holidays. Instead, universal services for young people aged 10-19 will be prioritised in light of Hackney Council’s severe financial challenges. However, these changes do not affect our adventure playgrounds, substance misuse, young carers or health and wellbeing service for schools which will continue to deliver services for 6+. 

With the Council having to make significant savings to balance its budget, and support already available to children aged 6-9 through schools and other organisations, the changes are part of efforts to prioritise services that are needed most and support young people at a critical stage of life.

From 1 April 2025, our youth teams will provide longer term-time and holiday services for young people aged 10-19, as well as starting street-based youth work in an effort to reach more young people in Hackney.

We have collated a list of alternative providers for term time and holiday places for the 6-9 age group.

Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: ‘‘We are proud that Young Hackney is still one of London’s best youth services, and we are committed to maintaining strong, focussed services for young people as they move toward adulthood. These changes will help more young people aged 10 and over access support at the stage of life where they need it most, whether it’s help with education, health, employment or housing.”

“At a time of severe financial challenges, we know that means doing less for younger children and the difficulties this will cause. We are here to help these families access the fantastic support that is already available to younger age groups through schools and other organisations in Hackney, and are ready to welcome them back to Young Hackney when they reach 10 so that we can help them through a critical stage of their lives.”