The move is part of the council’s effort to save £55m after their funding was cut by central Government. The Conservative authority agreed to go ahead with the cuts earlier this year.
Councillor Roy Perry, deputy council leader and executive member for children’s services, rubber stamped the cuts earlier this month. He said: “We had to look at where we could make economies and what our statutory obligations were. We decided that it was better to concentrate on areas with the most need.”
Among those who will lose their jobs will be youth workers and Connexions personal advisors, with around 60 per cent of the youth service workforce affected by the news. Careers advice will be taken over by existing school staff, while the county will focus Youth work on those areas considered most vulnerable.
Cllr Perry said: “I did not relish the thought of cutting funding but made a conscious decision that it was crucial to continue to target those most in need, for example those leaving care, teenage pregnancies and those suffering from domestic abuse.”
The council hopes gaps in youth services provision will be filled by the voluntary sector, with a £1.8m grant available for groups to run youth clubs and other projects. Cllr Perry said: “The voluntary sector already does a great deal for youth services in Hampshire and I don’t underestimate their ability to continue.”
But Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Lib Dem deputy group leader, Cllr Paula Baker, said the work of professionals was vital for a strong youth service. The Overton councillor told the Observer: “I was very concerned to hear of the cuts to what was already a particularly low spend on youth services in Hampshire.
“High quality and accessible services have a significant impact on whole communities and what we need are well trained professional youth workers out in communities and not in offices writing bids for funding.”
