The role of the Children's Commissioner for Wales is often described as an 'independent champion for young people'. This presents quite a challenge, especially as that championing role is meant to extend over so many areas of children's lives. As well as child protection, health and education, we are also able to look at transport, leisure, planning, libraries, play and more.
I think the biggest challenge of all is staying in touch with what children's own concerns are, being in close and regular contact with them, showing them that they have been heard and that their views have led to changes.
My staff and I were selected by panels with children on them and this should, I believe, be common practice in all professions that are meant to serve children. It is fortunate in Wales that all the political parties are supportive of children's rights and in favour of young people's participation in decisions that affect them. Where any group of children might find it hard to communicate with us, we will want to talk with the adults who know them and have their best interests at heart.
Our role also includes being a public advocate and I have spoken out strongly against the negative stereotypes of our young people being peddled by some of our national media and senior politicians who really ought to set a better example themselves.
Young people are often telling me how little they feel adults as a whole respect them, how often we 'grown-ups' talk as if all young people were a threat to our bus shelters, if not the entire fabric of our civilisation.
Children pick up this hostile language and it distresses them. They often say adults seem obsessed with controlling children.
I think that they are right about these things and I look forward to a more constructive attitude. When children are given real and supported chances to make a contribution, they invariably exceed expectations.
