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Whitehall Takeover Challenge was launched by the Children’s Commissioner for England in 2016, offering teens in care and care leavers the unique opportunity to take on roles at the very heart of decision-making in government departments. Participants gain valuable insight and experience of a workplace, while government departments benefit from a fresh perspective on their work. In 2018, teens with care experience took over senior roles at the Department for Education and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, among others.

For next year’s Whitehall Takeover Challenge, the Children’s Commissioner is looking for ten teens in care and care leavers to take over key senior roles across Whitehall in February 2020.

For your chance to take part, answer the following question in 500 words or less, and send your answer along with this completed form to [email protected]:

If you were in charge for the day, what one thing would you change for yourself and all children in care?

The closing date for receipt of entries is midnight on 22 December 2019. The winning entrants will be notified in early January 2020. You can get in touch with us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Who can enter: Teens in care and care leavers in England between the ages of 14 and 25

Format: written entries which must be no longer than 500 words in length

Closing date: midnight on Sunday 22 December 2019

Judge: Children’s Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield

How to enter: Complete our competition entry form and send it, along with your entry, to [email protected]. You can also post your entry to:

IMO – Write, Speak, Share

Children’s Commissioner’s Office

Great Smith Street

London SW1P 3BT

Take a look at our terms and conditions before submitting your entry, and if you have any questions email [email protected], or contact us on Twitter. Good luck!