COUNCIL bosses are to slash a third of spending on youth support services, with plans to get voluntary groups to pick up vital advice and help work with youngsters.

County leaders are now asking young people across Hampshire to have their say on which services they want to keep as they look where to swing the axe to cut costs.

They want to save £4m from the department, which this year has a budget of £12m, in response to huge cuts in local authority funding from central Government.

Tory leaders have come up with a series of proposals, which it says are designed to protect specialist services aimed at protecting vulnerable children and teenagers.

But they also want to see volunteer groups step in to provide community-based support, in line with David Cameron’s Big Society plans.

From next April, schools and colleges are being forced to take responsibility for providing careers advice.

One option being considered is the creation of a countywide service performing the role that used to be offered by Connexions, for schools to buy in.

Other major proposals include targeting youth support services to the most vulnerable, including those at risk of homelessness or involvement in crime, and investing up to £2m in local voluntary sector schemes.

Young people are now being asked for their thoughts on the plans, as part of a consultation running until July.

Hampshire’s head of children’s services, Councillor Roy Perry said: “Cuts in Government funding mean the county council has no choice but to make savings.

“We need to protect services for the most vulnerable children, such as child protection and services for disabled children.

“That limits where we can find savings. So we must re-examine all our youth support services.

“These proposals actually mean that additional money should go to the voluntary and independent sectors with a stronger local voice in how the money gets spent.”

Feedback can be sent to youth.info@hants.gov.uk.