Children's Commissioner for Wales
Encyclopedia
The Children's Commissioner for Wales 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, equivalent to the Children's Ombudsman
agencies of many other countries, 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 for Wales Act 2001).
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 the Commissioner and his staff do for Wales’ children and young people:
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, with responsibility for protecting children's rights as set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention on the Rights of the Child
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is a human rights treaty setting out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children...
. Peter Clarke
Peter Clarke (Children's Commissioner for Wales)
Peter Clarke was a prominent child welfare activist in Wales.His early life included military training at Sandhurst, from which he moved on to social work in London and Brighton, studying philosophy at Sussex University.Clarke worked first at the Stamford House Remand Home in London...
was the Commissioner from its introduction in 2001 until his death in 2007. The job interview
Job interview
A job interview is a process in which a potential employee is evaluated by an employer for prospective employment in their company, organization, or firm. During this process, the employer hopes to determine whether or not the applicant is suitable for the job.-Role:A job interview typically...
process was notable for including children as panelists alongside adults. Keith Towler became Wales' second Children's Commissioner on 1 March 2008.
The post, equivalent to the Children's Ombudsman
Children's Ombudsman
The Children's Ombudsman, Children's Commissioner, Child Advocate, Children's Commission or equivalent body is a public authority in various countries charged with the protection and promotion of the rights of children and young people, either in society at large, or in specific categories such as...
agencies of many other countries, 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
Child abuse
Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Children And Families define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or...
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
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
subsequently passed the necessary legislation for the position to be established (the Children's Commissioner for Wales Act 2001).
The Children's Commissioner has a number of legal, communications, policy-making and administrative staff, based in offices in Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
and Colwyn Bay
Colwyn Bay
- Demography :Prior to local government reorganisation on 1 April 1974 Colwyn Bay was a municipal borough with a population of c.25,000, but in 1974 this designation disappeared leaving five separate parishes, known as communities in Wales, of which the one bearing the name Colwyn Bay encompassed...
.
Here are some of the things that the Commissioner 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 ClarkePeter Clarke (Children's Commissioner for Wales)Peter Clarke was a prominent child welfare activist in Wales.His early life included military training at Sandhurst, from which he moved on to social work in London and Brighton, studying philosophy at Sussex University.Clarke worked first at the Stamford House Remand Home in London...
(2001 to 2007) - Keith Towler (2008-)
See also
- Children's Commissioner for EnglandChildren's Commissioner for EnglandThe post of Children's Commissioner for England was established under the Children Act 2004 . The Children's Commissioner has a duty to promote awareness of the views and interests of all children in England, in particular those whose voices are least likely to be heard, to the people who make...
- Commissioner for Children and Young People, Northern IrelandCommissioner for Children and Young People, Northern Ireland4 NationsThe Commissioner for Children and Young People, Northern Ireland is a publicly funded post, with responsibility for protecting children's rights as set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child...
- Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young PeopleScotland's Commissioner for Children and Young PeopleScotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People is a post in Scotland whose main task is to promote and safeguard the rights of children and young people. The position, equivalent to the Children's Ombudsman agencies of many other countries, was established by the Commissioner for Children...
- Timeline of children's rights in the United KingdomTimeline of children's rights in the United KingdomThe timeline of children's rights in the United Kingdom includes a variety of events that are both political and grassroots in nature.The UK government maintains a position that UNCRC is not legally enforceable and is hence 'aspirational' only, although a 2003 ECHR ruling states that, "The human...