The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

The Job of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales was created in 2001 to safeguard and promote the rights and welfare of children and young people in Wales in other words to stand up for children and young people The Children’s Commissioner for Wales must also have regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child The idea of having a Children’s Commissioner for Wales was first suggested in 2000 by Sir Ronald Waterhouse. He conducted an inquiry into the abuse of children and young people in care homes in North Wales The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

His report showed that they had not been listened to when they complained. He said that they need someone who was independent of the government, the police and local authorities to stand up for their rights The Children’s Commissioner for Wales was set up in 2001 as an independent children’s rights institution This means that they are not part of the Government or any other official agency The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

Wales was the first nation in the UK to have a children’s commissioner - Scotland, Northern Ireland and England now have commissioners as well The first Children’s Commissioner for Wales was Peter Clarke. The current Commissioner is Keith Towler There are Children’s Commissioners across Europe and the world – all of which are slightly different The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales is appointed by the First Minister for Wales The Children’s Commissioner for Wales currently stays in post for 7 years and cannot be re-appointed The Children’s Commissioner for Wales has two offices. 1 in Swansea and 1 in Colwyn Bay The Children’s Commissioner for Wales has in the region of 25 staff who support his work The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales works for every child and young person in Wales That means every child or young person who is under 18 and lives in Wales The Commissioner can also act on behalf of young people between 18 and 25 if they are being supported by social services (25 in certain circumstances) The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

The Commissioner’s role is to: Support children and young people to find out about children’s rights Listen to children and young people to find out what’s important to them Advise children, young people and those who care for them if they feel they’ve got nowhere else to go with their problems Influence Government and other organisations who say they’re going to make a difference to children and young people’s lives, making sure they keep their promises to children and young people Speak up for children and young people nationally on important issues – being the children’s champion in Wales The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

Legislation – What’s in the Legislation/Law? What the Commissioner must do: Make sure that children know where his offices are and how to contact his team Enable children to contribute to the development of his work programmes Produce an annual report The Children’s Commissioner for Wales can only use his powers in areas which are the responsibility of Welsh Government and where the National Assembly for Wales has powers The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

What the Commissioner can do? The Commissioner can review the arrangements in place for complaints, advocacy and whistleblowing. Advocacy – Advocacy is about speaking up for children and young people. Advocacy is about empowering children and young people to make sure that their rights are respected and their views and wishes are heard at all times. Advocacy is about representing the views, wishes and needs of children and young people to decision-makers, and helping them to navigate the system’. (National Standards for the Provision of Children’s Advocacy Services 2003) Whistleblowing – one who exposes wrongdoing within an organization in the hope of stopping it. The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

The Commissioner can give advice, information, assistance & advocate Can examine individual children’s cases in respect of: -Certain services a child receives or -The effect on a child of the exercise of certain organisation’s functions But strict criteria must be met including: -Does this case raise a general issue or relevance to the rights or welfare children -Is another organisation investigating the case? Should there be? Is that organisation better placed to deal with this? The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

The Commissioner may review the effect on children of any function of the Welsh Government and all other bodies (which come under the powers of the Welsh Government) and investigate individual cases The Commissioner can assist a child in relation to services provided by organisations who come under the Welsh Government. Assistance provided can be: -Advice and representation -Financial assistance (if certain criteria are met) -Such other assistance as the Commissioner thinks appropriate The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

The Commissioner cannot assist with legal proceedings. He cannot review on non devolved services e.g. Police, Youth Justice, Prisons, Benefit Agency, Judiciary and the Court Service. If the Commissioner cannot act under other powers, the Commissioner has the power to make representations to the Welsh Ministers on any matter affecting rights or welfare of children in Wales. The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

The next Children’s Commissioner for Wales will take post in March 2015 The Children’s Commissioner for Wales

Children’s Commissioner for Wales Oystermouth House Phoenix Way Llansamlet Swansea SA7 9FS Tel: Fax: Children’s Commissioner for Wales Penrhos Manor Oak Drive Colwyn Bay Conwy LL29 7YW Tel: Fax: Children and young people freephone number TEXT and start your message with COM The Children’s Commissioner for Wales