Research Finds Support Services Failing to Reach Local Youth

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Young Hammersmith & Fulham report finds a dysfunctional system

Gareth Dixon, CEO of Young Hammersmith & Fulham called for a change to the system

June 8, 2026

A new study has revealed a striking disconnect at the heart of West London’s youth employment system: despite hundreds of services on offer, many young people are still struggling to access the help they need.

Research from Young Hammersmith & Fulham has found that 187 organisations deliver 265 employment support services across West London, yet participation remains limited.

The issue, the report suggests, is not a lack of provision — but a system so fragmented that young people find it difficult to navigate.

The findings come at a time of rising concern over youth unemployment. According to the research, unemployment among young people is currently at its highest level since 2014.

Looking ahead, the outlook is even more troubling. The recent Milburn report warns that up to 1.25 million young people could be classed as NEET — not in education, employment or training — by 2031 if action is not taken.

For organisations working with young people in boroughs such as Hammersmith & Fulham, this raises urgent questions about whether existing support structures are fit for purpose.

The research highlights a key barrier: complexity. Despite the range of employment programmes available, young people are often unaware of them, unsure how to access them, or discouraged by the lack of coordination between services.

This “fragmented system”, as described in the report, means that even well-funded and well-intentioned initiatives risk failing to reach those who need them most.

Rather than calling for more programmes, the report argues for better organisation and stronger infrastructure.

It makes the case for greater investment in “Young People’s Foundations” — local partnership bodies designed to coordinate services, improve access, and ensure support is joined up around young people’s needs.

By strengthening these foundations, the authors suggest that existing resources could be delivered more effectively, helping more young people move into work, training or education.

Gareth Dixon, CEO of Young Hammersmith & Fulham, welcomed the Milburn report and called for a systems change. “Alan Milburn is right that this crisis will only be solved locally. In West London, each borough looks different. If we want to prevent a lost generation, we have to make that system visible and navigable for the young people who need it most - and that means investing in the local youth infrastructure that already exists.”

Young Hammersmith & Fulham says the findings should act as a catalyst for reform across West London, particularly as economic pressures continue to affect young people’s opportunities.

With youth unemployment rising and long-term risks increasing, the message is clear: the challenge is not just creating opportunities, but ensuring young people can actually reach them.

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