Children's Commissioner for England

Office of the Children's Commissioner for England
Formation2005
TypeNon-departmental public body
Children's Commissioner for England
Rachel de Souza
Parent organisation
Department for Education
Websitehttps://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
since 2021
Office of the Children's Commissioner for England
NominatorSecretary of State for Education[1]
AppointerDepartment for Education
Term length6 years
Formation2005

The Office of the Children's Commissioner for England is a non-departmental public body in England responsible for promoting and protecting the rights of children as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as other human rights legislation, such as the Human Rights Act 1998. The Children's Commissioner was established under the Children Act 2004 to "represent the views and interests of children", and the office was further strengthened by the Children and Families Act 2014 providing a legal mandate to promote and protect the rights of children. According to the Commissioner's website, the role's purpose is to facilitate long-term improvements for all children, and in particular for the most vulnerable, and involves “being the eyes and ears of children within the system and the country as a whole", as well as acting with political independence from government, children's agencies and the voluntary and private sectors. The Children's Commissioner also has a duty to speak on behalf of all children in the United Kingdom on non-devolved issues, which include immigration, and youth justice in Wales.[2]

Dame Rachel de Souza started her term as Children's Commissioner in March 2021.[1]

  1. ^ a b "Dame Rachel de Souza confirmed as new Children's Commissioner". gov.uk. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  2. ^ "The Children's Commissioner for England". Children's Commissioner for England. Retrieved 15 March 2021.