National Citizen Service - another opportunity for the sharp elbowed?

[Figmentofmyimagination]

I see in today’s paper that Cameron’s National Citizen Service is asking for £10 million for a rebranding. The only children I know who have been on an NCS programme are independently educated boys. Their parents spoke very positively of the NCS experience, especially its low cost. I wonder whether this is the best use of limited public funds.

I don’t look at the cost of just my dd Margo, I look at the cost of repairing/repainting the damage caused by bored teenagers with nothing much to do. I know this summer there will be people all over my village and surrounding areas Facebook pages moaning about gangs of kids hanging round the streets. I originally asked if not this what are you going to do that I is cheap and keeps this age group out of trouble? No one has come up with a solution yet as DoE was cited as too expensive and too exclusive by many parents in DD’s school year.

@Raspberry10 many of those who do it also do d of e. D of e is normally in term time not the vacs so it's fine to do both.

D of E is fine if you are physically able to do it. 2 of mine struggled so NCS was perfect. It uses a range of skills not just physical but creative, leadership etc. I wouldn't mind paying for it to be extended tbh. mine found it really valuable.

Mine refused to go on it because it was targeted at "problem" teens in this area. Certainly many they knew who had been excluded from school.

The DD of a friend worked on NCS one summer and it was an CV appallingly run shambles.

I agree with other poasters, loads of children from the local comp went and had a great time

My oldest two didnt do it but their friends went, i really doubt that ds2 will go

So think of the money ive saved the taxpayer!!! (Or dh )

Maybe you need a more varied acquaintances then OP?

My friends girls who went to the local comp went too and enjoyed it.
It's really not an exclusive or expensive scheme.
They did DofE too.

Doesn't it only run in the summer holidays which is what makes it so different to Scouts and D of E? Keeps them out of mischief.

It does need rebranding because National Citizen Service makes it sound like a cross between National Service and Community Service and it sounds like more of a punishment then a fun activity.
Not sure about the £10m price tag though.

It will probably not cost anywhere near £10m, but the way government contract pitches are issued, they have to state a maximum value.