Children's Commissioner

Children’s Commissioner for England

The Children’s Commissioner for England speaks up for children and young people so that policymakers and the people who have an impact on their lives take their views and interests into account when making decisions about them.

Independent of Government and Parliament, the Children’s Commissioner has unique powers to help bring about long-term change and improvements for all children, particularly the most vulnerable

The Commissioner does this by first gathering evidence: talking to children and young people, requesting information from public institutions and then carrying out research and compiling information on the wide range of things that affect children’s lives.

The commissioner is the ‘eyes and ears’ of children in the system and the country as a whole and is expected to carry out their duties ‘without fear or favour’ of Government, children’s agencies, and the voluntary and private sectors.

The Commissioner also provides advice to children who are in or leaving care, living away from home or working with social services through provision of an advice line, Help at Hand.

External link

Children's Commissioner for England Website

 

Children's Commissioner for Wales

What does the Children’s Commissioner for Wales do?

• Supports children and young people to find out about their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC);
• Listens to children and young people to find out what’s important to them;
• Advises children, young people and those who care for them if they think they’ve been treated unfairly;
• Influences government and other organisations who say they’re going to make a difference to children’s; lives, making sure they keep their promises to children and young people;
• Speaks up for children and young people in Wales on important issues.

The Children’s Commissioner works for every child in Wales who is:

• Up to the age of 18;
• Up to the age of 21 if they’ve been in care;
• Up the age of 25 if they’ve been in care and are still in education.

External link

Children’s Commissioner for Wales Website