The Children’s Commissioner gives evidence to the Online Safety Bill Committee
This morning I am appearing before the Public Committee on the Online Safety Bill. Ahead of my evidence to the Committee, I want to outline my concerns and aspirations for this pioneering piece of legislation. Today’s children are born into a digital world which they did not create, and over which they have little control. […]
The Children’s Commissioner responds to the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care
I wrote on Friday about the things I wanted to see included in the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care. This list is based on all the things children and young people have told me, and I am indebted to them for sharing their experiences with me in the hope it will make things better. […]
The Children’s Commissioner looks forward to the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care
As we approach the publication of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care and the National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s report into the tragic deaths of Star Hobson and Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, I want to finish the week by offering my thoughts on why all of us working with and for children should be excited […]
Children’s Commissioner hosts workshop to put children at the heart of data sharing
Last Thursday (12th May), the Children’s Commissioner convened partners from across education, health, care, local and national Government to talk about how we can put children at the heart of data-sharing. This roundtable was alongside John Edwards, the Information Commissioner, and his office. The Children’s Commissioner’s aim was for the workshop to mark a real […]
Where can I go with maths? A resource for young people connecting maths to careers, skills and everyday life
Yesterday, I wrote about my work on promoting maths and STEM subjects for girls and how important this is. Today, on National Numeracy Day, I am launching an interactive quiz connecting the KS3 maths curriculum to careers, skills and everyday life. This will give young people the opportunity to recognise the applications of the maths […]
Where can I go with maths?
Where can I go with maths?’ is an interactive quiz for children developed to connect the KS3 maths curriculum to careers, transferable skills and everyday life.
Encouraging the next generation of girls to be excited about studying maths and pursuing careers in STEM
Throughout my career and in my years teaching and running schools I have always been clear about the importance of maths and STEM subjects. I want to encourage the next generation of girls to be excited about studying maths and pursuing careers in STEM. And I am committed to finding ways to remove barriers to […]
Two weeks left to respond to our Family Review Call for Evidence
The Family Review is exploring all aspects of modern family life and how families understand themselves. The Review will allow us to look at how families can best be supported, with a particular focus on children’s perspectives on family life. It will bring together the best available evidence on the effectiveness of current Government support […]
Making sure children’s voices are heard and delivered on for National Children’s Day UK 2022
“Not having a voice in society, adults choosing what young people should do without our opinion.” – Girl, 16 On National Children’s Day UK 2022, I want to continue with my first and most important task as Children’s Commissioner for England. Listening to children. I have made it my mission to understand what matters to […]
Recognising Foster Care as part of Foster Care Fortnight
The Big Ask was the largest-ever survey of children in England, with over 550,000. This enables us to dig down to understand the experiences of particular groups of children, such as those in care. Nearly 4,000 children living in foster care responded to The Big Ask, and we have taken the opportunity this Foster Care […]
Acknowledging children in Mental Health Awareness Week
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is loneliness. When we think of loneliness we often think of isolated older people, which is of course a very concerning issue. Loneliness can, however, affect anyone at any age. In fact, people aged 16-24 are more likely to say they are lonely than any other […]
The Children’s Commissioner’s response to the Queen’s Speech
I am really pleased to see some important measures being introduced in today’s Queen’s Speech. Some of these I have been calling for, on children’s behalf, based on the things they have told me are important to them. Online Safety Bill I am glad to see the Online Safety Bill carried over from the previous […]
Speech
Archived Content
Improving the living situation of children living in secure accommodation
Anne Longfield, Children’s Commisioner for England, has written to Vicky Ford MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, Lucy Frazer QC MP, Minister of State, Ministry of Justice and Nadine Dorries MP, Minister for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health regarding concerns about children in living in secure accommodation, particularly those […]
Children in custody during lockdown
Since the start of the Covid pandemic, the Children’s Commissioner’s Office has investigated and highlighted concerns about the treatment of children in secure settings. Our briefing in May used data collected from the Youth Custody Service (YCS) alongside a series of interviews with children to shine a light on conditions for children in custody during […]
Help at Hand annual report 2020
Our 2020 annual report for Help at Hand, our advice line for children in care.
Response to the DfE’s announcement on unregulated accommodation for children in care
Anne Longfield, responding to the DfE’s announcement on unregulated accommodation for children in care, said: “The Government’s ban on unregulated provision for under-16s in care is very welcome, but needs to go further and include all under-18s. There are too many teenage children in care living in completely unsuitable and sometimes dangerous accommodation, including hostels […]
Five things you need to know about SEN in schools
How children’s needs are met (or go unmet) in schools, and the implications of these for the SEND Review and other reforms
Building back better
When I became Children’s Commissioner for England six years ago, I set out an ambitious vision for a nation where childhood is understood and celebrated and where the voice of all children is listened to at the heart of Government. I had in mind a particular group of children who, in my experience of working […]
Building back better – Anne Longfield’s final speech as Children’s Commissioner
Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England, has delivered her final speech in post with a challenge to the Prime Minister to show he is serious about children by putting them at the heart of his post-Covid plans. Her speech warned that the Prime Minister’s promise to ‘level up’ will be ‘just a slogan unless […]
Speech
Characteristics of children entering care for the first time as teenagers
Last year, research from my office showed that even before the pandemic, there were 120,000 highly vulnerable children in England who were falling through the gaps in education and social care. This group of children – equivalent to 1 in 25 13-17 year olds – all had significant additional needs and vulnerabilities but were not […]
Spend over £25,000: 2020 – 2021
We publish details of all spending over £25,000 on a quarterly basis. 1 April 2020 – 30 June 2020 Nil 1 July 2020 – 30 September 2020 Transaction date Merchant name Transaction amount Entity Details 14/08/2020 National Audit Office £33,600.00 OCC External Audit Services 1 October 2020 – 31 December 2020 Nil 1 January 2021 […]
Still not safe
The public health response to youth violence
