§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the(a) role and (b) powers of the proposed Children's Commissioner will be. [142151]
§ Margaret HodgeThe Children's Commissioner as proposed in the Green Paper will be an independent children's champion who will be a voice for children and young people, especially the disadvantaged and vulnerable. The Commissioner will play a crucial role in raising the profile of the issues that affect children, working with a wide range of bodies, such as local and national government, service providers, business, media and the voluntary sector, to ensure that children and young people are involved in the policy making process.
The Green Paper proposes that the Commissioner should work at a strategic level and would not investigate individual cases—except where they have wider implications for all children as directed by the Secretary of State. Nor will the Commissioner have a complaints or specific advocacy function—this will remain the responsibility of others. The Commissioner would work with the relevant Ombudsmen and statutory bodies to promote good practice and ensure that complaints procedures work and are quick and easy for children to access and follow.
The Commissioner would have a duty to report annually to Parliament on progress against the key outcomes set out in 'Every Child Matters', reflecting what children and young people have been saying.
Further details on the role and powers of the Commissioner are being developed in the light of the consultation which ended on 1 December, and legislation will be introduced to Parliament at the earliest opportunity.