One Minute With Anne-Marie Francis: Programme Manager – Care Leavers and Youth Justice Programme

How long have you worked for BELS?

4 years as member of staff

Tell us a bit about your role:

As Programme Manager l lead the design, coordination, and delivery of high-quality, impactful programmes that support care leavers and young people involved in the youth justice system. I have also worked with training providers—such as schools, FE colleges, alternative provision settings, and community organisations—to ensure that young people have access to meaningful post-16 opportunities.

What is our favourite thing about your role?:

The ability to create, co-create, and design solutions. One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is the opportunity to be at the heart of innovation and collaboration. The Programme Manager is not just a coordinator but a creative problem-solver—someone who can identify gaps in provision, listen to the voices of young people and partners, and shape meaningful, practical solutions that make a real difference.

This creative and collaborative space is where real transformation happens—and being part of that process is what makes the role so fulfilling.

What do you find challenging?:

Getting the young people in the room. One of the most persistent and complex challenges in this role is engaging the very young people the programmes are designed to support. Despite the best planning, resources, and partnerships, ensuring consistent participation—especially from care leavers and those involved in the youth justice system—can be difficult.

This challenge is multi-layered:

• Barriers to Engagement: Many young people face significant personal, emotional, or logistical barriers that prevent them from attending or engaging with opportunities. These might include unstable housing, mental health issues, lack of trust in services, or simply not seeing the relevance of the offer to their lives.

• Competing Priorities: For some, survival and day-to-day challenges take precedence over long-term planning. Education, training, or employment may not feel like a priority when basic needs aren’t being met.

• Systemic Disengagement: Some young people have had negative experiences with institutions—schools, social care, or the justice system—which can lead to a deep-rooted mistrust or reluctance to engage with new programmes, even when they are designed to help.

• Communication and Access: Reaching young people through the right channels, at the right time, and in a way that resonates with them is an ongoing challenge. Traditional methods often fall short, and more creative, youth-led approaches are needed.
  

Which of our BELS values resonate mostly with you, and why?

Diversity and Inclusion. As a person of ethnic background, I feel listened to, heard and included.

What are your interests/hobbies outside of work? 

Travelling, reading, writing and connecting with like minded people.

What’s the one piece of advice you would give your 13-year-old self? 

You already have everything you need to succeed, believe in yourself and trust the process.

Where’s your favourite place to holiday and why? 

Portugal because it reminds me of home in Jamaica.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? 

Play a musical instrument.