Conwy County Borough Council’s Youth, Engagement and Belonging Service has earned rare recognition in a Europe-wide guide of good practice for its work integrating youth services with support for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The service was ranked in the top 11 examples in the FEANTSA Good Practice Guide on the Integration of Youth Work in Services for Youth Homelessness, published this week by the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA). The report highlights innovative approaches across Europe that combine traditional youth work with homelessness support, aiming to ensure services are tailored to the unique needs of young people rather than simply applying adult-oriented models.
FEANTSA, which brings together organisations from across the continent to influence policy and share effective practice, said youth homelessness requires a different approach to adult homelessness. The federation’s report emphasises the importance of youth-oriented interventions that recognise the transition to adulthood as central to helping avoid or exit homelessness.
Conwy’s Youth, Engagement and Belonging Service was selected as one of the top European practices for its holistic, flexible and youth-centred work. The service, which operates across the county from Colwyn Bay to Llanrwst, offers inclusive support ranging from youth clubs and wellbeing activities to street work and outreach, all designed to engage young people and build trusting relationships.
Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Aaron Wynne said the European recognition was “a fantastic achievement” for the council and a testament to the dedication of staff who work tirelessly to support young people locally. “We’re proud to contribute to a Europe-wide effort to improve support for young people at risk of homelessness,” he added.
Locally, Conwy’s youth service is well-embedded within the authority’s integrated approach to supporting young people — linking education, housing, social care and community partners in a strategic framework. The service’s Oak Tree Project, for example, focuses on early awareness and resilience building, helping young people develop skills for independent living and informed choices about their futures.
The FEANTSA report notes that traditional homelessness services often overlook the distinct pathways and challenges faced by younger people — such as unstable living arrangements, family conflicts or transitions out of care — and argues that integrating youth work into homelessness support can empower young people and keep them engaged in positive activities.
Youth Engagement and Belonging’s inclusion in the guide places Conwy alongside other innovative services in Europe that use youth work principles to engage, enable and empower young people. The emphasis in these examples is on building trust and giving young people a voice in shaping support that meets their needs.
Across North Wales, rising housing costs, limited rental supply and pressures in the social housing sector have intensified concerns about youth homelessness. Integrated youth services and early intervention programmes such as those in Conwy are seen locally as vital in addressing these pressures before they escalate, helping young people stay connected to education, work and stable housing.
Conwy’s approach also reflects wider efforts across Wales to strengthen youth support pathways under the Youth Engagement and Progression Framework, which aims to reduce risks of homelessness and support smooth transitions into education, training or employment.
The FEANTSA guide can be read in full on the federation’s website, and Conwy’s service is now highlighted as an example other councils and organisations may look to when developing their own youth-focused homelessness initiatives.