Teenagers to be rewarded for good behaviour
Teenagers could be rewarded with money for shopping, sport and other activities in return for volunteering and making contributions to society.
The government is considering introducing ‘opportunity cards’ which would give young people up to £12 worth of credit to spend on a range of discounted activities.
And young people in each local authority could be given control over funding for local projects, such as providing a cafe or running a sports league.
The proposals are part of a new green paper, published today, designed to address the needs of teenagers.
The government is also consulting on legislation designed to clarify local authorities’ duty to make positive activities available for all young people.
Children’s minister Beverly Hughes said the plans were about giving teenagers more of a say over the services provided for them.
“Our proposals recognise that having more for young people to do in their local area is a key issue for teenagers and for their parents – and also for local communities,” she said.
Teenagers would have to earn credit, with those from low-income families able to earn more.
But credit would be withdrawn from young people who commit anti-social behaviour or crimes.
“By empowering teenagers we afford them respect – but society can reasonably expect respect in return and we need to provide young people with the right mixture of support and challenge,” Ms Hughes added.
The green paper aims to build on the Russell Commission’s recommendations, which call for an independent body to implement a new national framework for youth action.
The Home Office today confirmed that it would be creating such a body under the guidance of the report’s author Ian Russell.
