As Children’s Commissioner it is my duty to promote and protect the rights of all children, with particular regard to children who are living away from home or receiving social care services. My priority is to listen to children across the country, to hear about their lives and champion their voices.
Our priority areas
Latest Reports
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, […]
‘What I wish my parents or carers knew…’: A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives
Parenting today can feel overwhelming — especially when childhood looks so different from what we grew up with. There’s no manual, and it can be hard to keep up with the fast-changing digital world your child moves through every day. This guide aims to make those conversations easier and help you support your child with […]
“We have the most vulnerable children, but less support” Special and alternative provision sector report: The Children’s Commissioner’s School Census
Recently, my office published The Children’s Plan: The Children’s Commissioner’s School Census. For the first time, I used my data powers on schools, conducting a census to better understand how leaders and staff are supporting the children in our school system in ways far beyond teaching. For most children in England, education reforms have transformed […]
Youth Voices Hub
The Children’s Commissioner’s Youth Voices shares young people’s voices on topics that matter to them and provides opportunities for young people to have their say.
The Big Conversation
We launched The Big Conversation survey to hear the voices and views from children and young people across England to share what children really want with politicians and decision makers so they can listen and then act.
The Children’s Plan
We launched the biggest ever survey of schools and colleges in England, The Children’s Commissioner’s School Census, to capture up-to-date information about children’s experiences of school – to drive improvements in how they receive support.
Latest News
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Statement from the Children’s Commissioner on new screen time guidance for parents of under-5s27 March 2026Statement -
Meet the third cohort of Youth Ambassadors24 March 2026News and blogs -
Press Notice: Children spending thousands of days stuck in hospital waiting for the right support to go home, as Children’s Commissioner warns of ‘hidden crisis’ in community and social care23 March 2026News and blogs -
Guest Blog: It’s Welcome to Your Vote Week – Electoral Commission10 March 2026News and blogs -
Press Notice: Colleges are stepping in to provide students with support, despite delays in key information about their additional needs, Children’s Commissioner warns6 March 2026News and blogs
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Supporting children to talk about conflict in the Middle East4 March 2026News and blogs -
Reflecting on the past year, and looking ahead to Dame Rachel’s final year as Children’s Commissioner3 March 2026News and blogs -
Statement from the Children’s Commissioner on Individual Support Plans and Education, Health and Care Plans in the Schools White Paper23 February 2026Statement
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Statement from the Children’s Commissioner on the Schools White PaperStatement
