Amanda Orchard originally worked as a Teacher in the private sector, before becoming a project manager for the BBC and Innovation Manager for the Regional Development Agency in the West Midlands. She subsequently moved to Coventry University, working on a range of creativity/innovation projects linked to social care, women’s development and transnational creativity, and was seconded as a Professional Advisor to the EU on programme funding decisions.

For 5 years Amanda worked as CEO of a regional social care charity, developing charitable marketing, fundraising and adult social care and establishing an educational social enterprise for the charity, becoming its Managing Director.

Amanda has been Trustee with a number of national charities, working closely with the Charity Commission and as Company Secretary. Currently a Level 4 Foster Carer in Staffordshire, she supports the development of Foster Carer practice & skills, co-delivering training relating to Education of Looked After Children. She is a keen advocate for children’s self-expression and self-determination and was one of the initial Head, Heart, Hands carers.

Currently Amanda runs an education consultancy, where she is working to embed social pedagogy in UK education. She is a School Governor, and Vice-Chair of the Virtual School Governing Body in Staffordshire.