Anne Marie's journey as an Action for Children apprentice

"I was a very angry child. One of my biggest issues was an inability to explain what was going on or why I felt different to my peers.

"I always wanted to have a voice, or at least know that someone had a voice for me."

I started working at Action for Children in one of our care-experienced apprenticeship roles in 2022.

The first Teams meeting I attended was the launch of the Achieve network.

I remember seeing all the people who were currently doing or had done an apprenticeship. It felt like I had joined at the perfect time.

Then, Action for Children nominated me to join the National Implementation Board for Children’s Social Care.

The board brings together strategic leaders and people with lived experience of the care system to advise on the reform programme for children’s social care.

My colleagues encouraged me to apply for a place on the It’s Our Care round table. I used the opportunity to remind MPs of their legal obligations as corporate partners.

It was the biggest lobby of care-experienced young people Parliament has ever seen, and it felt amazing to be a part of it and assist with coordinating the day.

I also worked on the Care Leavers Covenant project which saw Action for Children become an official Care-Leaver Friendly Employer.

And along with my team, I assisted the launch of our Children and Young People’s Participation and Engagement Strategy called ‘Nothing About Me, Without Me’.

My time at Action for Children helped shape the direction of my career.

When I began, I hoped to complete my apprenticeship at Distinction level and to increase my knowledge and skills in campaigning and policy work.

Now, I am a Local Campaigns Officer at Action for Children in the Campaigns & Public Affairs team.

Through my apprenticeship, I have not only gained a Business Administration Level 3 Qualification. But built on my self-confidence and gained experience in a field I love.