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“One day this could happen to me” – Children, nudification tools and sexually explicit deepfakes

28 April 2025

The growth of the online world is a technological revolution, the likes of which hasn’t been witnessed in centuries. The internet has enhanced our lives immeasurably, by opening up education, communication and research in ways those of us who are now well into our adulthoods might never have imagined. For children growing up in 2025, […]

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The Big Conversation Podcast – Episode 8 – Facing the Future, Festival of Childhood Panel Discussion

23 April 2025

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children’s Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children.  The podcast draws on the themes in The Big Ambition and will focus on the most important issues that are impacting young people’s lives, with solutions developed with […]

Podcast

The Big Conversation Podcast – Episode 7 – Building the Foundations, Festival of Childhood Panel Discussion

17 April 2025

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children’s Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children.  The podcast draws on the themes in The Big Ambition and will focus on the most important issues that are impacting young people’s lives, with solutions developed with […]

Podcast

School phone policies in England: Findings from the Children’s Commissioner’s School and College Survey

10 April 2025

Over the last four years, I have spoken to a million young people and thousands of parents about the most pressing issues facing children growing up in England today. One issue that comes up time and again – from children, parents, and professionals alike – is online safety. While digital technology provides young people with […]

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My Plan for the year, 2025-26

3 April 2025

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. In my survey, The Big Ambition, only one […]

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Business Plan, 2025-26

The year ahead – 2025-26 – will be my penultimate year as Children’s Commissioner for England. It will also mark 20 years since the establishment of this office – a milestone that offers an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made and a reminder about the many urgent challenges that remain. More than […]

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The impact of housing instability on children’s GCSE grades

28 March 2025

Every child should have a loving, secure home, but when it comes to housing, children get a raw deal.   Thousands of children are living in temporary accommodation, including many in emergency ‘B&B’ style accommodation for longer than the statutory six-week limit1 – and they are paying the price of this disruption and instability in their […]

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The Big Conversation Podcast – Episode 6 – Mina Gerhardsen, Norwegian Ombudsperson for Children

20 March 2025

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children’s Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children.  The podcast draws on the themes in The Big Ambition and will focus on the most important issues that are impacting young people’s lives, with solutions developed with […]

Podcast

The educational journeys of children in secure settings

27 February 2025

Since becoming Children’s Commissioner nearly four years ago, I’ve made it my mission to listen to young people in some of the most challenging circumstances, facing the most uncertain futures.   Children living in secure settings are at the sharpest end of this definition. Their numbers are small, with around 400 at any one time located […]

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The Big Conversation Podcast – Episode 5 – Angela Salt, CEO, Girlguiding

20 February 2025

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children’s Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children.  The podcast draws on the themes in The Big Ambition and will focus on the most important issues that are impacting young people’s lives, with solutions developed with […]

Podcast

Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Children’s Commissioner’s Written Evidence

12 February 2025

The Children’s Commissioner welcomes the opportunity to submit written evidence to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill Committee. This evidence builds on oral evidence provided by the Children’s Commissioner on 21 January, on a wider briefing on the Bill that was provided to the Committee and published on the Children’s Commissioner’s website, and on prior […]

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Equal protection from assault for children – Briefing for the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

6 February 2025

The Children’s Commissioner wants England to be the best place for children to grow up. Every child should be safe, healthy and happy – and not live in fear. However currently in England, children are the only people who are not fully protected in law from assault and battery. The ‘reasonable punishment’ defence in common […]

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