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Commissioner responds to IOPC investigation into Child Q

15 September 2023

As Children’s Commissioner, it is my responsibility to make sure children’s voices are heard and their rights protected. On that basis, I welcome the conclusion of the IOPC’s investigation. My thoughts continue to be with Child Q whose experience of being strip searched by the police at school was incredibly traumatic. As I have said […]

Statement

The Children’s Commissioner launches new campaign to hear from children ahead of the General Election

14 September 2023

The Children’s Commissioner launches ‘The Big Ambition’ to hear directly from children and young people about what they want from Government.    Ahead of the next General Election, the Children’s Commissioner for England is launching a new campaign to ensure that children and young people are at the heart of the political debate.   Dame Rachel de […]

Statement

Young people with eating disorders on the rise in England 

1 August 2023

New analysis shows that children starting treatment for eating disorders has more than doubled, with waiting times of over 12 weeks for urgent cases.   1st August 2023: The number of children and young people starting treatment for eating disorders has more than doubled since 2016-17, new analysis shows, as young people face increasingly long waiting […]

Press release

‘Invisible’ children in care are missing school every day, unique new data shows

25 May 2023

Children’s Commissioner for England turns the spotlight on the most vulnerable children missing from education, part of her work to urgently improve school attendance 25th May 2023: Vulnerable children in care are missing from school and at risk of becoming ‘invisible’ to the services there to support them, without any of the vital opportunities education […]

Press release

Statement from the Children’s Commissioner on child sexual abuse redress scheme

22 May 2023

The Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza responds to measures announced by the Home Secretary to take forward recommendations made by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. “Today the Government has published its response to the recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.  I welcome today’s commitment to a redress […]

Statement

New support to tackle absence announced – statement in response from the Children’s Commissioner

18 May 2023

Getting children back into school and attending consistently is an absolute priority for me. I want this for 100% of children, which means everyone has to play a role in making it happen and digging deep into the reasons why it is currently not happening. Those reasons are complex – children might have special educational […]

Statement

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New evidence on pornography’s influence on harmful sexual behaviour among children 

9 May 2023

New report by Children’s Commissioner for England identifies links between children’s experiences of pornography and subsequent harmful sexual behaviour or abuse  9th May 2023: Testimonies from young people exploring the links between watching violent pornography and experiencing harmful sexual behaviours are highlighted in a new report published today by the Children’s Commissioner for England.   The […]

Press release

CCo statement on Illegal Migration Bill 

9 March 2023

As Children’s Commissioner for England, it is my mission to make sure every child is protected from harm and has their rights upheld. I am therefore deeply concerned about the Illegal Migration Bill, as it is opaque on what it means for children and their rights.   Any child arriving in the UK must first and […]

Statement

Children’s Commissioner’s speech to the National Association of Virtual School Heads

Good morning everyone – thank you for inviting me today. I am delighted to be speaking to you all for the second year in a row. Virtual School Heads are immensely important, and I want to thank all of you for your commitment to making sure children receive the best possible education. As Children’s Commissioner […]

Speech

Statement from the Children’s Commissioner in response to the SEND Improvement Plan

2 March 2023

The Department for Education (DfE) has today published the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan (hereafter the Plan). The Plan sets out how DfE intends to deliver ‘a single national system that delivers consistently for every child and young person with SEND and in alternative provision’. The review of the SEND system […]

Statement

Statement from the Commissioner on the legal age of marriage

27 February 2023

Today (27th February), it has been announced that the legal age of marriage in England and Wales has risen to eighteen. This is to protect vulnerable children from the damaging impact of forced marriage. The Children’s Commissioner has previously called for a change in the law to end child marriage and therefore welcomes today’s announcement. […]

Statement

Children’s Commissioner’s speech to the NHS England Children and Young People Voice Summit

16 February 2023

Hello, let me start by saying how delighted I am to be in a room full of people as passionate about outcomes for children and young people as I am! My name is Rachel De Souza and it is my job as the Children’s commissioner to champion the voices of children and young people. Making […]

Speech