Nursery World - Scotland wants a commissioner

Children and young people in Scotland came a step closer to having an advocate last week when a report by the Scottish Parliament recommended that an independent Children's Commissioner should be established by statute. An inquiry by the Education, Culture and Sport Committee into the need for a commissioner concluded last week that there is a gap in current provision and an independent office should be set up to represent children and young people in Scotland. Speaking on behalf of the committee, its convenor, Karen Gillon, said, 'After carrying out an extensive inquiry, the committee has given its support to the creation of a Children's Commissioner to co-ordinate, monitor and promote issues affecting children's rights and interests in Scotland.

An inquiry by the Education, Culture and Sport Committee into the need for a commissioner concluded last week that there is a gap in current provision and an independent office should be set up to represent children and young people in Scotland. Speaking on behalf of the committee, its convenor, Karen Gillon, said, 'After carrying out an extensive inquiry, the committee has given its support to the creation of a Children's Commissioner to co-ordinate, monitor and promote issues affecting children's rights and interests in Scotland.

'Members felt the post should be fully independent and have the power to report to the Scottish Parliament.' The committee will now work to bring forward a Bill to establish the post.

The Education Committee recommended that the Commissioner's remit should be to co-ordinate, monitor and promote issues affecting children's rights and interests, including progressive implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Its recommendations are in line with what children's organisations throughout the UK have been calling for.

Wales has had a Children's Commissioner since March 2001, but in Northern Ireland plans for a Children's Commissioner by the summer have been delayed. A spokesman for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland said, 'We intend to introduce legislation to the Assembly in the near future so a Commissioner for Children can be appointed in the autumn. We are at an advanced stage of drafting this legislation and finalising a wide range of policy and technical matters.'

He added, 'It is better to take a little more time now to make sure that the job ahead for the Commissioner reflects fully the importance of the task.'

However, a Home Office spokeswoman said there were no plans to appoint a Children's Commissioner in England.

The NSPCC has called for England to follow Scotland's example. Its director Mary Marsh said, 'Scotland is taking children seriously. England should have a powerful and independent Children's Commissioner too.'