In his annual review for 2007/08 Mr Towler called for those who developand deliver services for children and young people to focus oninconsistencies between policies across Wales.
He said, 'Having made the progress we have in Wales, it would be a realpity if we do not have the courage to recognise the problems and takewhatever action necessary to close the gaps.'
While the commissioner recognised that there might be valid reasons whypolicies failed, including inadequacy of funding to deliver effectivemental health services to children and sustainability in funding acrossthe board, he said that he was not prepared to accept any excuses.
The review also touched on the commissioner's frustration with the slowimplementation of the Welsh Assembly's initiatives on child poverty andthe lack of improvement in the lives of Wales's poorest children.
Mr Towler said, 'We must identify ways for national and localgovernments and children's organisations to share information and worktogether effectively to improve the lives of our country's children andyoung people.'
Key aspects of the commissioner's future programme are to includereviewing children's complaints procedures in schools and monitoring therecommendations made by the UN committee on the Rights of the Child.
Mr Towler said that he would continue to raise the profile and deliveryof children's rights in Wales, with so much to achieve by building onprogress.
Further information
www.childcomwales.org.uk.
