Ambassador schemes for care-experienced young people

If you are, or are looking after a young person in foster care, you might be wondering if there are any schemes in which you/they can work with charities to help others from similar backgrounds and experiences.

Up and down the country, there are various outlets where care-experienced young people can work with decision makers and other people in power to secure the best outcomes for children living in care. Here are some schemes where young people can give back to their community.

Children’s Commissioner

As part of the Big Ambition scheme, the Children’s Commissioner for England, Rachel De Souza, is looking to recruit 16 young people, aged between 16 and 17 years, to represent the views of the children and youth in the country.

While applicants can come from any location and background, they are particularly welcoming of applications from those who are experienced in the foster care system, have a disability or come from an underprivileged background.

Action for Children

There are various types of ambassadors that represent and support this charity; one of these is the Youth Ambassadors Board, where members from various backgrounds meet virtually and in-person to participate in the running of the charity.

If you or your foster child is thinking of applying, there are resources available to download from the Action for Children website, and testimonies from other ambassadors who have been involved with its work.

Coram Voice

Coram Voice has a community called A National Voice, where young people with experience of the care system work with the charity to make changes and influence local and national government. They are recruited yearly to represent youth across England.