Ofsted reports on youth service inspections.

Local authorities expect too much of youth services, without backing their expectations with funding, according to Ofsted.

The inspectorate's report highlights a stark contrast between the strongest and weakest youth services. The number judged as "good" or "outstanding" last year rose on the previous year from six to 15, but seven were judged "inadequate" and in need of considerable improvement.

Building on the best: overview of local authority youth services 2005-6 covers August 2005 to August 2006, when 33 youth services were inspected. Eleven were judged "adequate". The strongest was Doncaster, which was judged outstanding. Isle of White was inspected during the period under review and was found to be "good". Hampshire will be undergoing an inspection shortly.

Local areas are restructuring children and young people's services in line with new legislative requirements. In order to get maximum benefit from youth services and youth work, LAs should:

• ensure that processes are in place to enable elected members, senior officers and other decision-makers, including children's trusts, to understand the educational role of youth work in general, the quality of youth work provision, and its potential contribution to young people's lives

• seek to build upon the managerial and relevant experience of youth service officers and engage them in key strategic developments

• ensure that any future commissioning arrangements for youth work are focused on delivering high quality learning outcomes for young people.