Press releases

Children's Commissioner's Takeover Day 2012 on 23^rd November will be supported by the British Youth Council (BYC). The new working partnership to manage the day will encourage even more children, young people and adults to work together on important decisions.

Maggie Atkinson, the Children's Commissioner for England, has commissioned the BYC to promote the day through its networks to reach an even wider number of children and young people.

Tens of thousands of children and young people take part in Children's Commissioner's Takeover Day each year allowing them to work alongside adults and give opinions on key issues. Organisations joining in include businesses, local authorities, charities, schools, government departments and museums. Last year Radio 1, the Editor of Metro, Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, the Royal British Legion, Kids in Museums and Mayor of London, Boris Johnson were just some of those taking part.

This year the Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCC) will give strategic direction whilst drawing on BYC's resources and outreach experience to manage the day. The Children's Commissioner wants 50,000 children and young people to get involved on 23^rd November. The OCC and BYC will encourage children from all backgrounds to take part in Children's Commissioner's Takeover Day, particularly those who are often excluded or miss out on the great opportunities the day offers.

Maggie Atkinson, Children's Commissioner for England will lead the day. She said:

"Children's Commissioner's Takeover Day has been tremendously successful in giving tens of thousands of children and young people right across the country the chance to experience the world of work and have a say on important issues. Adults have told us their organisations benefit from listening to children's views and opinions and getting a fresh approach to solving a problem.

"This year we have commissioned BYC to support our small team and draw on their networks to reach an even larger number of children and young people. I will still lead the day and be bolstered by the BYC's national networks of organisations."


James Cathcart, CEO of BYC said "We are delighted to be working for the Office of the Children's Commissioner in promoting such an important day. BYC is all about young people getting involved in their communities and having a say, and that's why we're so excited about this partnership. 

"Children's Commissioner's Takeover Day demonstrates and celebrates the potential of children and young people in our society today. It's a fantastic example of a ‘good news' story, and one which I hope will be widely reported on 23 November."

ENDS


NOTES TO EDITORS

1. For more information about Children's Commissioner's Takeover Day, visit http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/takeover_day.  You can also keep track of what's happening on the day by following us on Twitter (@ChildrensComm). We're encouraging everyone to tweet about the day and their event by using the hashtag #TakeoverDay2012.

2. The Office of the Children's Commissioner is a national organisation led by the Children's Commissioner for England, Dr Maggie Atkinson. The post of Children's Commissioner for England was established by the Children Act 2004. It requires us to refer to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) when planning and carrying out our work. The Children's Commissioner has a duty to promote the views and interests of all children in England, in particular those whose voices are least likely to be heard, to the people who make decisions about their lives.

3. The Office of the Children's Commissioner will handle all media enquiries about Children's Commissioner's Takeover Day.


MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Please contact:
Sandeep Shah, Senior Communications Officer
Tel: 020 7783 8610
Out-of-hours calls: 07659 593 511
Email: sandeep.shah@childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk