The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, holds a statutory role created by the Children Act 2004. Her mission is to promote and protect children’s rights in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Over the past years, Dame Rachel has listened to the voices of more than one million children. Through her Big Ambition project, nearly 370,000 children and young people across England shared their views, hopes, and solutions for the future.
One striking finding was that only 22% of children and young people felt that leaders truly listened to them. This programme aims to change that by ensuring children’s voices are placed at the heart of government policy.
Why Become a Youth Ambassador?
The Ambassador Programme is a one-year voluntary opportunity for young people aged 16–17. It is designed to empower participants to represent their peers, influence decision-makers, and amplify the voices of children across England.
As an Ambassador, you will:
- Meet policymakers and government officials at the heart of Whitehall.
- Champion issues you care about by presenting solutions directly to decision-makers.
- Share feedback and insights on matters important to children and young people.
- Represent youth voices at events and engage with key stakeholders.
- Speak to the media, including local and national newspapers, magazines, and broadcasters.
This is not just about representation, it’s about making real change happen and holding leaders accountable for promises made to young people.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Live in England.
- Be 16 or 17 years old in April 2026.
The programme particularly welcomes applications from:
- Young people with lived experience of the care or health system.
- Those with disabilities or additional learning needs.
- Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
This inclusive approach ensures that diverse voices are heard and represented.
Application Process
The application form will ask you to:
- Provide basic information about yourself.
- Share your passions and the issues you believe are most important for improving children’s lives in England.
- Record a short video introducing yourself and explaining your motivations.
- Submit written answers to a set of questions.
Practical Details
- The application takes around 15–20 minutes to complete, plus time to record your video.
- You can preview the questions before starting and return later to finish.
- Once completed, you can print or download a copy of your answers for your records.
- If you require special arrangements for the application or programme, you can contact the office at childrens.commissioner@childrenscommissioner.gov.uk.
Key Dates
- Deadline: Sunday, January 11th, 2026 at 23:59.
- Updates: Applicants will be informed of progress by early February 2026.
- Interviews: If applications are high in volume, shortlisted candidates may be invited to a short informal interview.
- Induction Day: Successful applicants will attend an induction in London with the Children’s Commissioner.
Programme Details
- The Ambassador role is voluntary and unpaid.
- You will not be considered an employee of the Children’s Commissioner’s office.
- Expenses, including travel, will be covered for the duration of the programme.
- The office cannot provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
Why This Matters
This final cohort of Ambassadors is especially significant. As Dame Rachel’s term concludes in March 2027, the office is working to ensure that the recommendations made over the past five years are implemented. Ambassadors will play a crucial role in holding decision-makers accountable and ensuring that children’s voices remain central to policy-making.
By joining, you are not only representing your peers, you are shaping the future of England’s children and young people.
Next Steps
If you are passionate about change, ready to speak up, and eager to represent young voices, this is your chance.Review the application form carefully, prepare your video and written answers thoughtfully and submit your application before the deadline.