Ministers consider ‘year of service’ for school leavers Ministers are examining whether to introduce a “national service” that will encourage school leavers to enter into a year-long volunteering […]

Ministers are examining whether to introduce a “national service” that will encourage school leavers to enter into a year-long volunteering programme.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has launched an independent review to look into how it might support to undertake a “year of service” before entering employment or going on to university.

The initiative was announced this week by the Minister for Civil Society Rob Wilson, which will look at getting more young people into full time “social action”.

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‘Society for everyone’

“Full-time volunteering can provide meaning and purpose, as well as allowing young people to gain the skills they need to transition into full-time work or study,” he said. “I want to make sure that we encourage as many young people as possible to get involved and make a difference in their communities, building a society for everyone.”

The government has already launched a National Citizen Service, but it only lasts for a month.

The move will look to mirror other successful examples from abroad, such as the US, Germany and France where hundreds of thousands of young people actively volunteer for a year before going onto work or study.

It has been backed by prominent Labour figures, such as former Cabinet member Lord Blunkett and Dan Jarvis MP.

Lord Blunkett said: “A year of service has the potential to fundamentally change the attitudes and values of young people in our society.”

Breaking barriers

According to volunteering organisations, one of the biggest barriers to young people entering into full-time service, which is 16 hours a week or more, is that they are counted as being Neet (Not in education, employment or training).

It means they are denied access to National Insurance Contributions and personal development training,

while they give up their time to volunteer.

Charitable organisations have been actively lobbying the government to do more to remove such barriers preventing young people from full-time voluntary work.

City Year, which places 18 to 25 year olds in inner city schools to act as mentors to pupils in disadvantaged areas, has been pushing for the government to make changes for the last year.

Sophie Livingstone, chief executive of City Year UK, said there was an “appetite” among young poeple to be able to give up a year of their time to volunteer.

“For too long, full-time volunteers have been punished for giving their time to worthwhile causes. They’re in legal limbo, unable to claim even the most minor of benefits enjoyed by the unemployed or those in work.

“I’m delighted that this review will now look at the legal status for full-time volunteers and how best to support and recognise young people who want to gain experience whilst giving back to their communities.”

The government’s review will be launched next year, which will include an advisory panel of experts from the private and voluntary sectors.

The panel is expected to make recommendations to the minister by October 2017.