CYP Now - Leadership changes present an opportunity to reposition NCS

The election of the new Labour government and announced departure of its chief executive present challenges for the National Citizen Service (NCS). Before we can consider its future, we must understand the idea behind the creation of the NCS.

NCS universality could be reconsidered, Oginsky says. Picture: Soloviova Liudmyla/Adobe Stock

At the point of conception NCS boldly intended to introduce a nationally recognised “rites of passage” to adulthood.

Adulthood isn’t an age

Young people may be considered adult at several points during the 16 to 25 age range in the UK – when they can have sex, drink alcohol, drive a car, leave home, leave school, secure employment or vote. None of these things bestow adulthood on a person however because adulthood isn’t an age or an activity it is a set of behaviours. It requires self-awareness, self-control and accepting responsibilities.

That is why NCS, at its best, is a personal and social development programme that enables young people to explore and exhibit the characteristics of adulthood.

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