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Family Services Directory - 0-19

National Citizen Service (NCS)

National Citizen Service (NCS) is a government-backed programme open to all 16 and 17-year-olds in England.

It helps them build skills for work and life, while they take on new challenges and meet new friends.

NCS consists of three separate parts, Adventure, Skills and Social Action. Adventure comprises a residential stay at an outdoor activity centre, where the young people take on physical challenges and bond with their teammates. During the Skills section, young people learn a skill such as drama, media, sport, photography, art or enterprise whilst they practice independent living at university-style accomodation. Finally, during Social Action, young people will design and deliver a project to make a difference to their local community. 

The programme runs over the course of 3-4 weeks and there are 12 start dates to choose from between June and August. NCS is provided over five different locations across Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. Wecan also be extra support provided for young people if required, from minor adjustments to 1 to 1 support workers. 

NCS brings together young people from different backgrounds and helps them develop greater confidence, self-awareness and responsibility. It encourages personal and social development by working on skills like leadership, teamwork and communication. NCS looks great on CVs and UCAS applications, whilst also being a fun thing for young people to do during their summer holidays. 

Who to contact

Telephone
0800 197 8010.
Website
National Citizen Service

Where to go

Notes

We hold programmes in West Berkshire, Reading, Slough, Wycombe and Bracknell Forest. 

Other Details

Costs

Table of costs
Table of costs
AmountCost Type
£50.00
Details
The most a young person will ever have to pay to participate in NCS is £50, but we do offer discounts for local authority teams, schools and charities quite regularly. Additionally, there is financial support available for those who need it. Cost should never be a barrier for participating in NCS.

Availability

Referral required
No
Referral Details

Local Authority teams are encouraged to make referrals to Katharine Nutman, Outreach Associate, for those young people who would not otherwise engage in NCS, but young people are able to sign up without a referral at ncsthechallenge.org. 

 

Other notes

We are able to cater for young people of all needs, and can provide extra support when necessary.

Local Offer

Local Offer Record
Contact Name
Katharine Nutman
Contact Telephone
07469151468
Contact Email
katharine.nutman@the-challenge.org
Links

SEN Provision Type
Speech & Language Difficulties
Behavioural, Emotional & Social Difficulties
Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Physical Disability
Moderate Learning Difficulties
Hearing Impairment
Visual Impairment
Severe Learning Difficulties
Medical
Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties
Specific Literacy Difficulties

General Provider response 

Is your service accessible?
We will work with you to do our best to resolve any access issues.

What are the eligibility criteria for your service?
Any young people born between 1/9/1999 and 31/8/2001 can participate, or young people of Year 11 or Year 12 school age.

How are referrals/applications made to your service?
Parents, guardians and young people can sign up themselves for NCS, and local authorities can refer young people to Katharine Nutman, Outreach Associate.

What is your service standard for responding to referrals/accessing services?
Parents, guardians, young people and local authority teams can expect to hear back from NCS within 3 working days.

Charges
Details of charges
The most you will ever have to pay for NCS is £50, but there are discounts involved for various organisations, local authority teams and schools. Furthermore, financial assistance is available. Cost should never be a barrier to NCS.

How will I know my child will be safe using this service?
All staff go through a comprehensive recruitment and training process, and all have a full DBS check. We ask all young people to complete a code of conduct which ensures the safety of everyone.

Last Update: 08/03/2024

Please note that the Bracknell Forest Services Directory includes some information and links to third party internet websites which are controlled and maintained by others. Bracknell Forest Council is not responsible for the accuracy of the information in the services guide and cannot be responsible for the linked external sites. Bracknell Forest Council does not represent or warrant that its web site or any other web site accessible via the Bracknell Forest Services Directory is virus free.
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