Children’s Commissioner Ambassador Programme 2026 (Volunteer): Represent Young People Across England and Influence Government

If you are 16 or 17 next April and fed up with being sidelined when adults make decisions about your life, this is a rare seat at the table. The Children’s Commissioner Ambassador Programme 2026 recruits a one‑year cohort of youth ambassadors to work with the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, to gather and amplify the views of children and young people across the country. This is not a hobby club or a token selfie opportunity: it is a programme designed to put your voice in front of ministers, Whitehall officials, journalists and the people who actually write policy.

Why it matters now: the Commissioner’s office has spent recent years asking children across England what they want and think — projects like Big Ambition reached hundreds of thousands of young people. Yet only a small fraction feel heard. These Ambassadors are part of a final push during the Commissioner’s current term to push decision makers to act on what children have said. If you want to learn how policy is made, hold adults to account and get real practice in public speaking and advocacy, this programme is built for you.

Read on for everything you need: clear eligibility rules, what the role actually involves, how to craft a standout short video, a realistic timeline to finish your application, and insider tips that come from people who’ve been on the programme and those who hire young advocates. This guide will get you ready to apply — and to show up as the kind of persuasive, confident young person who gets listened to.

At a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

Think of the Ambassador role as a hybrid between a leadership apprenticeship and a public affairs crash course. Over the year you’ll be invited to accompany the Children’s Commissioner and her team to meetings in Whitehall — that’s where ministers and civil servants work — and you’ll get to make the case for the issues you care about. You’ll be asked to present the views of your peers, brief decision makers, attend stakeholder events and, crucially, speak to the media about young people’s priorities.

The practical benefits go beyond a good line on your CV. The office provides opportunities to develop public speaking, media handling and policy briefing skills. You’ll be coached to craft short compelling arguments, to explain complex issues simply, and to give evidence to adults who make big decisions. Previous cohorts have used the platform to push for changes in education, mental health services, and safety online — and they’ve been invited to meetings with ministers because the Commissioner’s office listens to what young people say and amplifies it.

There’s no salary attached — this is voluntary — but the experience is intensive and high-profile. Expect some travel (often to London), online meetings, occasional evenings for media appearances, and a responsibility to consult peers so you’re not just speaking for yourself. If your goal is to influence policy, build a public profile, or get serious advocacy experience before university or employment, this role gives you both the stage and the mentorship to do it.

Who Should Apply

You should apply if you live in England and will be 16 or 17 in April 2026. Beyond the basic age and residency test, the programme suits young people who want to represent others and who are willing to commit time to meetings, events and preparation.

This is a good fit for:

• Students who already campaign on an issue — maybe your school council, a youth club, or a community campaign — and want to take those skills to the national level.
• Young people who have experience speaking publicly, whether that was in class debates, drama productions, or community projects, and are ready to bring that confidence into meetings with grown‑ups.
• Someone who cares about fairness and policy but doesn’t yet know the mechanics of government. The Commissioner’s office will give training; you don’t need to be a policy expert on day one.
• People representing underheard communities — Ambassadors who can open doors and bring perspectives from places and groups that aren’t traditionally invited to Whitehall conversations.

Real-world example: If you volunteer at a local mental health charity and have organised youth focus groups, you can use that work to show how you consult peers and gather evidence. Or if you’re from a rural area and have seen transport or services gaps, that lived experience gives you a unique perspective decision makers need to hear.

Be honest with your time constraints. If your school schedule, caring responsibilities, or paid work will make it impossible to attend key meetings, talk to the organisers before applying. The role is flexible in parts, but you’ll need to be present when it matters.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

The form is short and the video is brief, but small choices make a big difference. Treat the application like a pitch — 15–20 minutes to show you are credible, engaged and ready.

1. Tell a tight story. Don’t list everything you’ve done. Pick two strong examples that show your impact and how you consult peers. Start with the change you wanted, describe what you did, and end with the result. For instance: “I organised five youth listening sessions at my college — 120 students responded and we presented three recommendations to the headteacher, two of which were implemented.” That’s readable and persuasive.

2. Make your passions concrete. “I care about mental health” is fine, but better is “I want schools to offer drop-in support for Year 11s during exam season because I organised a survey and 72% said they felt unsupported.” Numbers and specifics carry weight.

3. Use the video to show presence, not polish. You don’t need a cinematic production. Film on your phone, look at the camera, speak clearly and for 60–90 seconds make a direct case: who you are, what you care about, and one example of how you have listened to and represented others. Smile, but be focused. If possible, film somewhere quiet with natural light and minimal background distractions.

4. Practice your 30‑second pitch. You’ll likely have to summarise your views to busy officials. Rehearse a concise sentence that explains the change you want and why it matters.

5. Show you can work with adults. Give examples where you engaged with teachers, local councillors, or community leaders. Adults in the selection panel want to see you can hold a dignified conversation and get things done.

6. Prepare to consult peers. If your examples show you consult friends or groups, explain how you did that — surveys, listening sessions, informal chats — and what you learned from them. Ambassadors must represent broader views, not only their own.

7. Get someone to review your script. A teacher or youth worker can read your written answers and give feedback. Keep the language simple and avoid jargon.

These tactics help you stand out without pretending to be someone you’re not. The programme values authenticity and evidence of how you gather and present other people’s views.

Application Timeline

Work backward from the 11 January 2026 deadline. Because the form takes only a short time to complete, your main work should be on the video and polishing your written answers.

• 6–8 weeks before deadline: Draft answers and outline your video script. Identify the two examples you’ll use. If you’ll need access to recording equipment or a quiet space, book that now.
• 3–4 weeks before deadline: Film and edit your video. Keep it short — 60–90 seconds — and show it to at least one person for feedback.
• 1–2 weeks before deadline: Finalise written answers, correct typos, and make sure your examples are tight and quantified where possible.
• 48–72 hours before deadline: Submit your application. Technology glitches happen; don’t wait until the last day. After submitting, download or print a copy of your responses for your records — the form prompts you to do this, but do it immediately.

After the deadline, expect a selection and onboarding period. If successful, you’ll enter a one‑year voluntary term during which meetings and events will be scheduled; the Commissioner’s office will provide more details to selected Ambassadors.

Required Materials

The application is intentionally short. You’ll be asked to provide basic personal details, short written answers about who you are and what changes you want, and a short video. Still, preparation matters.

Prepare:

• A brief personal statement (written answers in the form) that explains who you are, your key issues, and how you have represented others.
• A short video (phone footage is fine) — focus on clarity, energy and a single persuasive example.
• Contact details and your home address to confirm you live in England.
• If you are under 18, make sure you can travel with any required permission from a parent or guardian when needed for events.

Practical preparation tips:

• Draft your written answers in a document first. That way you can check spelling and length and craft strong examples. Paste clean copy into the form.
• Record the video in landscape unless instructed otherwise, and check the file type and size allowed on the application page.
• Have a trusted adult review the content for clarity and safety — but make sure your voice is your own.
• Keep backups of both the video and your written answers; after submission the form lets you download a copy.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Selection panels are looking for young people who can represent others and who will bring new voices to national conversations. Outstanding applications combine clarity, evidence and presence.

First, clarity about the issue. Applicants who can describe the problem, why it matters to peers and what practical change they want are easier to champion. Vague passion is less convincing than a focused case with a specific ask.

Second, evidence of peer engagement. Ambassadors are not spokespeople for themselves. If you can show how you gathered other young people’s views — surveys, school councils, youth club meetings, social media polls — and how those views shaped your recommendations, you’ll stand out.

Third, communication skills. The video is a proxy for how you’ll present to the media and to officials. Speak clearly, use plain language and show you can distil complicated feelings into a short persuasive message.

Fourth, reliability and teamwork. The role involves representing a cohort, attending meetings and sometimes doing follow-up work. Examples of projects you completed, commitments you fulfilled, or events you organised demonstrate you can deliver.

Finally, readiness to learn. The office won’t expect you to be a policy expert, but it will expect curiosity and professionalism. Say you want training in media handling or policy briefing — willingness to learn is itself a strong asset.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with a short form, applicants slip up in predictable ways. Avoid these pitfalls.

1. Being too personal without representing others. The selection panel wants Ambassadors who can speak for peers. Don’t make the application only about your own experience; show how you involved others.

2. Rambling answers. Short forms reward precision. Use two strong examples rather than many weak ones. If you have numbers (how many people you consulted, results), include them.

3. Overproduced video. A studio-style vlog isn’t necessary and can feel staged. A simple, sincere video filmed on a phone with good light beats an over-edited piece.

4. Ignoring logistics. If you can’t travel to London or attend occasional evening events, be upfront. Selection panels may prefer people who can commit when needed rather than those who will frequently miss key meetings.

5. Poor backing up. Don’t rely on a single device for your video. Keep backups and export copies in common formats (.mp4) so you don’t get stuck at submission time.

6. Waiting until the last moment. The form itself is short, but technical problems can happen. Submit with time to spare.

Address these issues and your application will be clearer, stronger and more likely to be selected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the programme paid? A: No. This is a voluntary one‑year role. While it doesn’t include a salary, the experience includes high-value training, meetings with policymakers, media exposure and a network that can open doors later.

Q: What is the time commitment? A: There’s no single weekly hour quota — expect a mix of in-person meetings (often in London), online sessions, occasional evening media slots and preparation time for events. The office will give more detail to selected Ambassadors, but be ready to devote several hours a week when things are active.

Q: Do I need parental permission? A: You are 16–17, so parental awareness and consent for travel to in-person events may be required in practice. If you have caring responsibilities or restrictions, contact the office before applying to discuss accommodations.

Q: Can I include international experiences? A: The programme requires you to live in England; but if you have experience from overseas projects, you can mention them as long as you demonstrate current UK residency and how you engage with peers in England.

Q: Will the role affect my schooling or exams? A: The office recognises that applicants are students. Timing and scheduling will try to respect exam periods, but you should be ready to balance both and discuss any major conflicts during selection.

Q: How will Ambassadors be selected? A: Shortlisted applicants are likely assessed on clarity, representation of peers, communication skills (via video) and availability. The office seeks diverse voices from across England.

Q: Will I be given media training? A: Yes. The office provides development opportunities including media handling and public speaking to prepare Ambassadors for interviews and formal briefings.

Q: Can I reapply if not selected? A: The 2026 cohort is the final cohort under the current Commissioner’s term, so opportunities may be different in the future. If you’re not selected, keep engaging locally — it strengthens future applications and other leadership paths.

Get Started / How to Apply

Ready to make your voice heard? Here’s a simple checklist to get you from idea to submission.

1. Decide the two concrete examples you’ll use to show you represent peers.
2. Draft your written answers in a separate document and edit for clarity.
3. Film a 60–90 second video: short, focused, and authentic.
4. Check you meet the eligibility (live in England; 16 or 17 in April 2026).
5. Submit your application before 11 January 2026 and download a copy for your records.

Ready to apply? Visit the official application page and follow the instructions: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ambassadors2026/

If you want feedback on your video script or written answers, ask a teacher, youth worker or a mentor to read them. A quick bit of polish raises you from “good” to “memorable.” This programme gives you an extraordinary platform — use it to speak for the people who rarely get that chance.