Implementing a National Citizen Service

Abstract

Key features of the NCS scheme—including: its more specific aims and content; staff roles, recruitment and training; the recruitment and retention of participants and its emphasis on ‘social mixing’; evaluation assessments of its short-term and long-term impacts, outcomes and ‘monetised’ benefits; its funding and costs per participant. Some critical responses to the scheme from politicians, a House of Commons Select Committee and the National Audit Office. Critical scrutiny of NCS as a possible alternative provider of open access youth work and replacement for lost local Youth Service facilities.