Blog

August was a less hectic month, but still active.

I had a discussion with Azi Lazarov of Trimega, a company that develops specialised drug and alcohol testing services. Their work is used in some courts. An example of this is testing some parents' potentially harmful continued use of dangerous substances in cases where they want their children back if they have been placed in protective care.. Trimega actively supports direct work with young people, being a strong advocate for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. 

In mid August I visited the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission's Options centre. Options is a free phone line where staff take calls and answer questions about the choices available when parents separate but need to support their children. I listened in, as a trainee would, to both live and recorded calls. I was impressed by the way staff were not "call centre" operators in the usual sense. They really listened, and offered support and as much time as was necessary, to callers who were clearly upset and worried. I met a group of staff, many of them parents or grandparents themselves with personal experience of the issues in their own families. They were united in one answer when I asked why they do what they do: "for children."  

We celebrated the successes of 16 to 18 year old exam candidates on our website and Twitter page, but I'll repeat my congratulations here. I wish them success in the years to come. Well done all!

Late in August, we hosted a day for some children and young people from Torbay with experience of social care, who presented their stories both to the Office of the Children's Commissioner, and a researcher from the Munro Social Work Review team. They were passionate speakers, experts on their and their families' lives, balanced about their experience of social workers and the system overall, and clear on what would make it better. I was humbled and impressed by these young advocates, as I am when I meet youngsters everywhere.

And September has come round quicker than ever, with a packed autumn to come. So, watch this space for more!

By Maggie Atkinson, Children's Commissioner for England