For the first time, hundreds of thousands of children will be eligible to vote in the next general election at age 16, the biggest change to the franchise in half a century – yet just one in five children say politicians listen to them.
That’s why I have launched my biggest survey yet, The Big Future, for all children in England to tell me what it’s like to be a child today.
I am asking about the changes they want to see in their communities, their biggest concerns, and their hopes for the future. More than anything, I want to know what they think a good childhood should look like, now and in the future.
The Big Future
Resources to support parents, carers, schools and organisations to share The Big Future survey with children and young people including presentation slides, activities, social media assets and FAQs.
Youth Voices Hub
My Youth Voices hub shares young people’s voices on topics that matter to them and provides opportunities for young people to have their say.
My priority areas
Latest Reports
Police powers and children – strip searching and use of force
Few issues have defined my tenure as Children’s Commissioner so sharply as the strip searching of children by police. As a former teacher and headteacher of 30 years, I thought I was hardened to the vast spectrum of failures in children’s rights, but the case of Child Q in Hackney five years ago shocked me […]
Children growing up in B&Bs – new data shows the full story
Tens of thousands of children are spending long chunks of their childhoods in unsuitable shared accommodation – sharing bathrooms with strangers, often in unpleasant conditions and cramped together in one small space without privacy. Since my research into the experiences of children living in poverty last summer, I have been pushing for an end to […]
My Plan for the year, 2026-27
I’ve designed a version of my Business Plan aimed specifically for children and young people, sharing the projects and themes that my office will be working on. As Children’s Commissioner for England, it is my job to listen to you and take your voices to decision makers. This will be my sixth and final year […]
Business Plan, 2026-27
2026–27 will be my final year as Children’s Commissioner, marking the conclusion of a six-year term that began in March 2021. It is a moment to take stock of how children’s lives have changed during that time, and to focus on the work that still needs to be done to give every child in England […]
Children waiting to leave hospital
Recently I visited a children’s hospital where I came across a little girl. She was tiny but said hello confidently. I asked who she was – and was told that she lived at the hospital. She was not too sick to leave, but her parents were unable – or unwilling – to take her home, […]
Setting young people up for success – College sector report: The Children’s Commissioner’s School and College Census
In 2024, I used my data powers on schools and colleges for the first time, conducting a census to better understand the support that educational establishments offer children. This report is the third in this series. The first, The Children’s Plan, examines what whole system reform could and should look like. The second, The Children’s […]
A healthy influence? Children’s exposure to appearance-changing products online
For the past five years as Children’s Commissioner I have been speaking to children about the online world and its influence on childhood. It became clear to me very early on in the role that children today do not distinguish between ‘being online’ and ‘being offline’ in the way that adults do, or even in […]
Children living in illegal children’s homes
Last year, for the first time, I shone a light on children placed in illegal homes – isolated, left without appropriate care, and often at increased risk of harm. These so-called ‘homes’ include caravans, holiday rentals, or AirBnBs, usually under the ownership of private companies with no formal inspection or scrutiny. That first report showed […]
Help at Hand annual report 2024-2025
“I love to learn and be around other children every day. I miss my old friends, which makes me feel sad. I have been looking forward to making new ones, so I don’t feel lonely.” These are the words of an 11-year-old boy, ‘Jack’, who contacted my advice and support service, Help at Hand. Jack, […]
Latest News
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Morning after local elections, Children’s Commissioner’s new polling shows teenagers uncertain about voting in the next general election and worried about the future, as she launched major national survey8 May 2026Statement -
Statement from the Children’s Commissioner after the Golders Green terror attack6 May 2026Statement -
The Children’s Wellbeing and School Act passes into law30 April 2026News and blogs -
The stark reality about children facing strip searches23 April 2026News and blogs -
Press Notice: Falling strip searches ‘masking’ ongoing safeguarding failures, as almost a third of children searched have been repeatedly searched and ethnic disparities persist22 April 2026News and blogs -
Children growing up in B&Bs – new data shows the full story16 April 2026News and blogs -
Statement from the Children’s Commissioner in response to Southport inquiry’s key findings13 April 2026Statement
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Why school attendance must be a priority for every service and professional working with children9 April 2026News and blogs -
What should the government do to give care experienced young people the best possible future?7 April 2026News and blogs
