New children’s commissioner for England

The appointment of a new children’s commissioner for England should be an opportunity to review the role and powers of such an important post; not a time for squabbling. The Howard League for Penal Reform has had a very constructive relationship with the commissioner’s office during the tenure of Sir Al Aynsley Green and our only criticism has been that the office itself was established with such limited powers. The children’s commissioners in Scotland, Ireland and Wales have powers to investigate individual cases, have a clear children’s rights agenda and a statutory and independent framework. The office should combine child protection with the promotion of children’s rights. The English commissioner does not have the legal duty to promote and protect children’s rights.

The establishment of a new body like the office of the children’s commissioner takes time to establish and there may have been too much concentration on creating an image – and a rather odd and costly name change to “11 million”.В  In addition, some of the initiatives have replicated work already done by charities.

Ironically, Maggie Atkinson may have been strengthened by all the fuss, as the MPs were joining with children’s organisations to say that the role does need to be strengthened. It is now up to her to exhibit independence; and that her background in children’s services will not colour her vision for a children’s rights based future. We wish her well.

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October 19, 2009  Tags:   Posted in: Children and young people, Government policy

One Response

  1. OwloftheWolery - October 21, 2009

    I hope that Maggie Atkinson has chance to consider whether England needs something closer to Scotland’s Children’s Panel (http://www.infoscotland.com/childrenspanel/CCC_FirstPage.jsp).

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