The Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England

1. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England The Commissioner’s Role & Children in Care Presentation to ICHA Annual Conference University of Warwick 26th September 2006

2. Who? What? Where?

3. This Presentation Will … • Explain the role of Children’s Commissioner for England • Explain the way his Office works • Describe our involvement and positions on Looked after Children

4. Background 31 European countries have ‘commissioners’ First (Norway) was established in 1981 Most established in 1980s and 1990s Separate and staggered development in UK: Wales 2001 (Waterhouse Inquiry into abuse in North Wales) N Ireland 2003 Scotland 2004 ENGLAND 2004 (Children Act 2004)

5. Role • Promote awareness of the viewsand interests of children in England • All children • Plus Care Leavers & YP with Learning Difficulties (18-20) • In considering their views and interests he must have particular regard to their well-being as described by the 5 ECM outcome areas • In considering what constitutes their interests, he must have regard to the UNCRC

6. Mission 2006 To be the voice for all children and young people in England. We will use our independence and dedication to look after the interests of children and young people in matters that affect them. We will protect and improve their lives by working with and influencing society, the media, parents & carers, politicians and those who work with children and young people. We will promote debate on the changing world children live in.

7. Powers • Advocacy & Persuasion – a Children’s Champion • Encourage • Advise • Consider • Publish • Formally Inquire A Champion with Significant Powers • Require information from relevant services • Enter any premises where children are accommodated or cared for (except private homes) & interview children • Submit annual report to Parliament • Require any person exercising relevant functions to respond formally to recommendations in his published reports

8. So we’re not … • An inspectorate • A watchdog • A standards agency • A regulator • A co-ordinator of local Children’s Commissioners • A complaints service • but can review complaints procedures

9. How We Work • Key criteria include: • the added value of any intervention • The relevance to ECM outcomes 8 Key Areas: • Children & Young People in Society • Tackling Discrimination • Youth justice & anti-social behaviour • Bullying • Asylum seeking children & immigration • Disabled children & young people • Health and well-being of children & young people • Vulnerable children

10. Looked After Children • Welcome renewed attention to LAC and their poor outcomes • Realise that legislative change is only part of the solution • Need coherence, quality, long termism

11. Priorities • Education • Support & encourage YP to achieve their individual educational potential • Targets need to be sensitive to range of abilities and the potential of each individual child • Diversity of Need – e.g. • Children with disabilities & advocacy • LAC and criminal justice system • Unaccompanied minors and community support • Kinship care

12. Wellbeing • Healthy Care Programme • Mental health support outside of CAMHS • Child-Centred Targets • Children & YP must be involved in devising these • Relatively few (enough?) targets for Care Leavers

13. Placement Suitability & Stability • Choice for children • Range of provision • Specialist provision