Annual report 2016-17
When I was appointed Children’s Commissioner in 2015, I published “Ambitious for Children” which set out my priorities for my term in office – building the aspirations of children, particularly those who have a difficult start in life, and shining a light on the hidden issues affecting the vulnerable in order to change their lives […]
Annual report 2017-18
Half way through my term as Children’s Commissioner, I am as ambitious and aspirational for children as I ever was. This role is a constant reminder that a childhood that is happy and full of love is the best springboard to adult life that any of us could have; that children are resourceful, and achieve […]
DfE framework agreement
This Framework Agreement sets out the respective responsibilities of the Department for Education and the Children’s Commissioner to support work of both organisations by: ensuring that effective corporate governance arrangements are in place; supported by the design of adequate and effective internal controls that demonstrate value for money; and are in fulfilment of the statutory […]
Whistleblowing
The Children’s Commissioner is named in the Prescribed Persons Order 2014 as someone to whom whistle-blowers can raise concerns relating to the rights, welfare and interests of children. Whistle-blowing arrangements offer a framework of protection against victimisation or dismissal for workers who blow the whistle on criminal behaviour or other wrongdoing. Here you can find […]
Memorandum of understanding between British and Irish Network of Ombudsman and Children’s Commissioners
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sets out the UK Commissioners’ and Republic of Ireland Ombudsman’s intentions as to how they wish their offices to work together for the benefit of children and young people throughout their jurisdictions.
Publications scheme
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides public access to information held by public authorities. The Act requires every public authority to have a publication scheme to make certain types of information routinely available.
#ThisIsFostering: care leavers share how they #definecare virtually during lockdown
Backed by the Children’s Commissioner for England, IMO (“in my opinion”) is a peer-led digital platform where children in care and care leavers share first-hand stories, experiences and advice with others in a similar situation. The project exists to challenge perceptions of looked-after children and shine a light on their experiences of the care system. […]
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 […]
Changes to SEND duties
Modification of Section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014 What is the change? Section 42 conferred an absolute duty on local authorities to deliver the special educational and healthcare provision set out in a child’s EHCP. After changes made through the Coronavirus Act, local authorities will now be deemed to have met this […]
Ensuring new families recieve the support they need during the coronavirus pandemic
Lockdown has changed all of our lives in so many different ways. But if there’s one thing that hasn’t changed it is that babies are still being born, including of course a new arrival in Downing Street. In England 1,688 babies are born every day.This means that 76,000 babies will already have been born during […]
Lockdown babies
Children born during the coronavirus crisis
Lockdown experiences: Leaving school and preparing for college
As part of our lockdown experiences series, we are talking with children and those working with children about how the current lockdown is affecting them. Ayra, 16, has written a blog for us about what lockdown has been like for her. My lockdown experience has been very varied. When we were told that schools were closing and […]
Archived Content
Thousands of children growing up in shipping containers, office blocks and B&Bs
The terrible reality of how some children are living in converted shipping containers and office blocks, and B&Bs, in cramped conditions
Insights into the lives of children and young people
This blog looks at 3 recent studies that provide interesting insights about the lives and views of children.
Leon Feinstein appointed Professor at the Rees Centre
Professor Leon Feinstein has been appointed to the post of Professor of Education and Children’s Social Care at the Rees Centre.
The Government should finally make ‘left behind’ children its priority
Boris Johnson has this week established three new cabinet committees on Brexit, and one on the whole of the domestic policy agenda. This is a clear indication of the dominance of this one issue for our new Prime Minister. During the leadership election I gave a speech to launch our 3rd Childhood Vulnerability Report where […]
Stability Index 2019
The Stability Index is an annual measure of the stability of the lives of children in care. It was first launched by the Children’s Commissioner in 2017 to shine a light on the issue of stability, provide data that allows stability to be monitored over time, and ultimately drive improvements in stability for children in […]
Explosion in number of older children going into care over last five years is hitting stability of the system
Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner for England, has published the Children’s Commissioner’s 2019 Stability Index, an annual measure of the stability of the lives of children in care in England. The Index was launched in 2017 and shines a light on the number of times children in care move home placement, school or social worker. […]
Children’s Voices: Children’s experiences of instability in the care system
‘Children’s Voices: Children’s experiences of instability in the care system’ is published alongside the Children’s Commissioner’s third annual Stability Index, which measures stability in the care system by looking at how often children in care move home, school or social worker over a year. In addition to this data analysis, the Children’s Commissioner’s Office also […]
Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield responds to Home Affairs Select Committee report on serious violence
Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner for England, responding to the Home Affairs Select Committee on Serious Violence, said: “This hard-hitting report exposes the dangers facing the many thousands of vulnerable children who are at risk of grooming by ruthless criminal gangs. Many of the mistakes that led to failings in child sexual exploitation are now […]
Annual report 2018-19
My work experience fortnight at the Children’s Commissioner’s Office
Before I begin I just like to introduce myself. I’m Jade. I wasn’t sure what skills or talents I could offer, because to my knowledge I don’t have any, but it turns out that being under the age of 18 was a huge advantage, unlike in literally every other setting, so my input was useful. […]
