Press Notice: Children are living in ‘Dickensian levels’ of poverty without their basic needs being met, Children’s Commissioner warns
Children in England are facing ‘Dickensian levels’ of poverty, going without basic needs like heating, a place to wash, somewhere to eat breakfast, or safe transport to school. Frank testimonies from school-age children, shared in new research by the Children’s Commissioner, expose a crisis of hardship, shame and systemic failures and illustrate the stark reality […]
Briefing for Peers on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – May 2025
The Children’s Commissioner for England has a legal duty to promote and protect the rights of all children in England, including those in care, living away from home, or receiving social care services, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It is essential that this legislation includes measures for ensuring […]
Putting children’s voices at the heart of the NHS 10-Year plan
The government is currently consulting on the NHS 10-Year Plan, which will set the course for our health service over the next decade. It is critical that children and young people are not left out of this national conversation, so I was delighted that some of my Young Ambassadors and members of my newly formed […]
Press Notice: New research reveals ‘stark failures’ of social care system, as the Children’s Commissioner calls for urgent reform and stronger safeguards
Today’s report, “Children with complex needs who are deprived of liberty” is available here. Top lines: Children in England can be deprived of their liberty in secure settings, specifically custodial settings (for youth justice reasons), secure children’s homes (for welfare reasons) and mental health units (for assessment and treatment). A deprivation of liberty can also […]
Help at Hand – stepping in when disabled children’s rights to education are not upheld
Help at Hand is here to support the most vulnerable children in society, many of whom struggle to have their voices heard for a variety of reasons. Some cases stand out because they are particularly sad or shocking, or because of how strikingly they illustrate flaws in the system. This is true of Sonny*, a […]
Help at Hand supporting children with mental health needs
Children and young people needing support with their mental health feature significantly in the work of Help at Hand, my advice and advocacy service for children in care, leaving care, working with children’s services or living away from home. This could be children who are living with their families but struggling on a daily basis, […]
Statement from the Children’s Commissioner on the Illegal Migration Bill
The Illegal Migration Bill has now completed Report stage in the House of Lords. Since this Bill was first introduced, I have been deeply concerned about the impact it will have on some of the most vulnerable children – those who have been trafficked, or fled persecution and abuse, and arrived on our shores in […]
Statement from the Children’s Commissioner on the Illegal Migration Bill
Statement by Dame Rachel de Souza on the progression of the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill to Report Stage, released Wednesday 26th April: “I welcome the work by MPs in laying amendments that seek to cement children’s rights within the Illegal Migration Bill, but remain deeply disappointed by the continued lack of clarity by the government […]
The Big Ambition for the Election: My vision
Over the last three years as Children’s Commissioner, I have heard from more than one million children. I have made it my mission to listen deeply to their views, voices and experiences and reflect these truthfully to policy makers and politicians. Too many of the children I speak to, but especially those whose voices are […]
Reflecting on a busy year with Help at Hand
In my four years as Children’s Commissioner for England, I have heard from more than a million children about their hopes and ambitions, and what they want from the adults making decisions in their lives. Crucially, regardless of their circumstances or backgrounds, children want their voices listened to on how to tackle key issues facing […]
Help at Hand annual report 2023-2024
In my four years as Children’s Commissioner for England, I have heard from more than a million children about their hopes and ambitions, and what they want from the adults making decisions in their lives. Crucially, regardless of their circumstances or backgrounds, children want their voices listened to on how to tackle key issues facing […]
Update on the Illegal Migration Act
The Illegal Migration Act was introduced on 7th March 2023 and received Royal Assent on 20th July 2023. During its rapid passage through parliament, I raised my concerns about its potential impact on the most vulnerable children. Since its introduction, my team have continued to visit the children who arrive on our shores to seek […]
Archived Content
Child Rights Impact Assessment on Changes to Legal Aid since 2013
A Child Rights Impact Assessment on Changes to Legal Aid since 2013
Child Rights Impact Assessment
Child Rights Impact Assessment: 2013 Autumn Statement and 2014 Budget
Child Rights Impact Assessment of Budget Decisions
A Child Rights Impact Assessment of Budget Decisions
Child Rights Impact Assessment of Anti-Social Behaviour
A Child Rights Impact Assessment of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill (parts 1 – 6; part 9)
Children and Families Bill Child Rights Impact Assessment
A Child Rights Impact Assessment Of Parts 1-3 of the Children and Families Bill (HC Bill 131)
Proposed model for Child Rights Impact Assessments
Proposed model for Child Rights Impact Assessments (CRIAs)
Child Rights Impact Assessment of Welfare Reform Bill
A Child Rights Impact Assessment of Welfare Reform Bill
Are we there yet? Our rights, our say
Children and young people’s voices about their experiences on the delivery of their rights
Data protection impact assessment for use of DfE administrative records
The Children’s Commissioner for England has a statutory responsibility to promote and protect the rights of children in England. Part of the Commissioner’s role is to represent the rights and interests of children across government and scrutinise and review government policy or legislation to understand the potential effects on children. The Children’s Commissioner is granted […]
Response to steps taken to relieve councils of certain duties to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
10 June 2020 Update: The Government has now issued a new notice which extends the measures through June. After publication of this response and note, the Government updated its guidance to reflect the fact that the timescales under which LAs and CCGs must comply with binding orders from the First-tier Tribunal have been eased. We […]