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 as Children’s Commissioner. When I started, the country was just beginning to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. In my first week as Children’s Commissioner, many of you were beginning to return to school following a second period of remote learning.
Six years is a significant portion of your life. This final year provides an opportunity to reflect on the knowledge and insights I have gathered, and to drive change to improve the future of childhood in England.
Every child and young person deserves to feel listened to and empowered to have their say. Since 2021, a million children have shared their views with me. This year I want to hear from another million of you and I am launching a final survey, The Big Future, in May to ask your views on the future, your hopes for your local area, and the impact on your lives of technological change.
Your voices are key to improving children’s policy and services, so this year I will be speaking to as many of you as possible through my participation programmes, two Festivals of Childhood, roadshows and visits around the country. I will continue pushing government departments and public bodies to make your voices central to their work.
The theme of this final year is simple: to look back, listen, and plan for the future. Looking back allows us to understand what has changed during this time. Listening puts your experiences firmly at the heart of our priorities.
Planning for the future means pushing decision-makers to use the lessons of the past six years to create lasting improvements for children across England.
My Business Plan sets out the things I will focus on for my remaining time as Commissioner, but my team and I will always stay on top of what matters most to you.
Related Reports
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, […]
Letter to separating parents
Going through a separation or divorce can be an incredibly challenging time, not only for parents but importantly for children too. As Children’s Commissioner, my role is to champion children’s rights and wellbeing, and to make sure their voices are heard, especially by the adults in their lives. That’s why I have written to separating parents as […]