http://www.education.gov.uk/b0075357/national-citizen-service-prior-information-notice National Citizen Service - Prior Information Notice National Citizen Service Information about National Citizen Service, a voluntary eight-week summer programme for 16-year-olds. It will act as a gateway to the Big Society by supporting young people to develop the skills and attitudes they need to become more engaged with their communities. <![CDATA[ The Prior Information Notice, signalling the intention to procure National Citizen Service in 2013 is now live. We expect to issue the procurement documentation for NCS 2013 in early May. We are really keen for providers to come together in partnerships and encourage you to sign up to the <a target="_blank" href="http://ncsteam.sgv2.com/welcome">partnership building platform</a>. All documents will then be available to download from this site. If you prefer to receive a copy of the tender documentation direct, please email <a href="mailto:ncs.pilots@education.gsi.gov.uk">ncs.pilots@education.gsi.gov.uk</a>. National Citizen Service (NCS) supports the Government’s vision for building a Big Society. It will act as a gateway to the Big Society for many young people by supporting them to develop the skills and attitudes they need to become more engaged with their communities and become active and responsible citizens. NCS will make a positive contribution to local communities, requiring close working with schools, local authorities, businesses and other neighbourhood groups to create a more cohesive, responsible and engaged society. NCS is a voluntary eight-week summer programme for 16-year-olds that will promote: <ul> <li> a more cohesive society by mixing participants of different backgrounds</li> <li> a more responsible society by supporting the transition into adulthood for young people</li> <li> a more engaged society by enabling young people to work together to create social action projects in their local communities.</li> </ul> NCS is a being piloted over two years across England. Thousands of young people took part in the first pilot this summer. In 2012, some 30,000 places will be offered to young people. Following this, we hope that NCS will, over time, become a valued rite of passage into adulthood that all 16-year-olds will want to complete. ]]> false Local authority Teacher Teaching assistant Education and training professionals Parents and carers Young People Department for Education All 2012-04-26T16:41:04 http://www.education.gov.uk/b0075357/national-citizen-service-prior-information-notice/call-for-action-to-support-your-local-national-citizen-service-pilots Call for action to support your local National Citizen Service pilots Call for action to support local pilots Information about NCS pilot projects, which are being delivered by a range of organisations across the country. <![CDATA[ National Citizen Service (NCS) is a fantastic experience for 15- and 16-year-olds in your area. It provides an opportunity for young people to mix with those from other backgrounds in an exciting programme of challenge, activity and social action designed to support their personal and social development. This summer, after completing Year 11 or Year 12, up to 30,000 young people from across the country will have the opportunity to stay away from home for two weeks and take part in a packed schedule of exciting, challenging activities that will help them to develop their personal and social skills, complementing their learning in and out of school. Following this, they will spend a week learning about their local communities and then volunteering 30 hours of their time on projects they have developed to benefit their local community.　　 In 2011, over 8,000 young people, from a wide range of backgrounds, participated in NCS pilots. Feedback from young people showed that the experience was life-changing for many with long-lasting friendships formed across traditional boundaries. Social action projects are continuing well beyond the summer, and young people left feeling more confident and motivated about their future. In many cases, the experience of NCS encouraged young people to seek positive change in their lives and approach their education and future in a different light. In coming years, we want NCS to be offered to every 16-year-old in the country. NCS pilots are being delivered by a range of organisations across the country including those from the public and voluntary sectors. <a target="_blank" href="//media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/xls/n/ncs providers by local authority.xls">Details of your local provider</a> can be downloaded from the associated resources section of this page. We’d welcome your assistance in encouraging and supporting young people to participate in NCS. If you have any queries about NCS pilots, please contact your local provider(s) or email <a href="mailto:NCS.pilots@education.gsi.gov.uk">NCS.pilots@education.gsi.gov.uk</a>. ]]> false Department for Education English 2012-05-09T14:55:43