Burnham, MP for Leigh, Greater Manchester, was selected for the job after being nominated by Labour MPs as one of 19 politicians to fill the shadow cabinet.
He had recently taken part in the Labour leadership contest in which he finished fourth, behind Ed Miliband, David Miliband and Ed Balls.
While standing in the Labour leadership contest, Burnham told CYP Now he was keen to break down the barriers faced by too many young people and provide them with the chances in life that others take for granted.
He said this meant investing heavily in early years education, challenging selection and elitism in schools and supporting young people with disabilities as well as young carers.
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