Nursery World - Bill for children's champion passes

Scotland came a step closer to giving children their own human rights champion after a Bill to establish a Commissioner for Children and Young People was passed last week. The commissioner, expected to be in post by the start of 2004, will act as an independent 'voice' promoting and safeguarding the interests of children and making recommendations directly to the Scottish Parliament.

The commissioner, expected to be in post by the start of 2004, will act as an independent 'voice' promoting and safeguarding the interests of children and making recommendations directly to the Scottish Parliament.

Cathy Jamieson, minister for education and young people, said, 'The Scottish Executive is working hard to improve co-operation between the agencies currently working to support children. At present too many children get lost in the bureaucracy of children's services.'

Alison Davies, programme director for Save the Children Scotland, praised the openness of the consultation process that preceded the bill, which had involved children and young people. She added that the commissioner would have 'the capacity to defend children's interests and be a powerful advocate for children to help them speak up for themselves.'

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