NSPCC news

Children's Champion for England

Finally, after years of campaigning, the Government has announced that children in England will have their own champion – a Children’s Commissioner whose job it is to protect them and stand up for their rights.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales already each have one, so it was about time that England had one too!

Professor Al Aynsley-Green is Children's Commissioner

Al Aynsley-Green has worked at Great Ormond Street hospital and University College London. It's safe to say he knows what he's talking about. He is an excellent choice to represent the views of children and young people. Being the Children's Commissioner means he can:

• listen to views and identify needs of children and young people

• look into stuff that's about the interests and well-being of children and young people

• start inquiries for children and young people.

Children and yong people were involved in choosing Professor Al and we reckon he's going to be the right man for the job. Working with the government, we want him to make sure children's views are taken seriously.

When we asked a group of more than 200 children and young people what they thought a children’s champion should do, we found that:

• almost everyone we spoke to thought that the commissioner should be someone who can “listen to children and speak out on their behalf” and make sure that politicians listen to children and make child-friendly laws.

• eight out of 10 thought the government should ask children and young people to decide who their children’s champion should be

• the group thought a children’s champion should meet groups of young people face to face, or by a special phone line or email.