Children's Commissioner
News: 24 July 2006 - Children's Commissioner publishes annual report
In March 2005 the Government appointed Professor Al Aynsley-Green as England's first Children's Commissioner.
The need for a Children's Commissioner was established through the consultation that led to the Children Act 2004. The role aims to give a national voice to all children and young people, especially the disadvantaged and the vulnerable.
Independent of government, the Commissioner's remit is to promote awareness of views and interests of children. He is expected to raise the profile of the issues that affect and concern children in England, and promote awareness and understanding of their views and interests among all sectors of society, both public and private.
This may involve working closely with organisations whose decisions affect all aspects of children's lives, including the police, schools, hospitals and voluntary groups.
Consultation found that the qualities children are looking for in a Children's Commissioner are the capabilities to respect their views and listen to their concerns on the issues that matter to them - for example, bullying, personal safety and pressure in education. Many also stressed the importance of having an understanding of different kinds of social backgrounds.
As part of his broad remit and function, the Commissioner works within the framework of the five Every Child Matters outcomes. These outcomes complement the rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which the Commissioner must have regard. As the Commissioner is independent of government, he will decide what issues he will focus on as he discharges his duties.
Documents
Biography
of Al Aynsley-Green
This page was last updated on 24 July 2006
