Children's Commissioner for Wales

Keith Towler, the present-day Children's Commissioner for Wales

The Children's Commissioner for Wales^[1] is a publicly funded post in Wales, with responsibility for protecting children's rights as set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Peter Clarke was the Commissioner from its introduction in 2001 until his death in 2007. The job interview process was notable for including children as panelists alongside adults. Keith Towler became Wales' second Children's Commissioner on 1 March 2008.

The post was established following a decade-long campaign by children's organisations in Wales. In 2000, Sir Ronald Waterhouse published the report of his inquiry into abuse in children's homes in north Wales, and recommended the creation of a Children's Commissioner post to prevent such scandals in the future. The UK Parliament subsequently passed the necessary legislation for the position to be established.

The Children's Commissioner has a number of legal, communications, policy-making and administrative staff, based in offices in Swansea and Colwyn Bay.

Here are some of the things that Keith and his staff do for Wales’ children and young people:

• Telling everyone, including children and young people, about the Commissioner and about children’s rights
• Meeting with children and young people and listening to what they have to say about issues that affect them
• Talking to children and young people about the Commissioner’s work, what else they think he should do and how he should do it
• Looking at the work of organisations like councils and health trusts to see if they are thinking about children’s rights
• Telling people who can make a difference what children and young people think is important and how to improve things
• Giving advice and information to children and adults who contact the Commissioner's team.

Commissioners

• Peter Clarke (2001 to 2007)
• Keith Towler (2008-)

See also

• Children's Commissioner for England
• Commissioner for Children and Young People, Northern Ireland
• Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People
• Timeline of children's rights in the United Kingdom

References

1. ^ Childcomwales.org.uk

External links

• Children's Commissioner for Wales