New Children's Commissioner announced
Dame Rachel de Souza has been announced as the new Children’s Commissioner for England, just as children return to school following lockdown across many parts of the UK.
The Children’s Commissioner is appointed to speak up for children and young people so that policymakers and the people who have an impact on their lives take their views and interests into account when making decisions about them.
Dame de Souza spoke about some of the challenges facing England post-pandemic. She touched in the effects on children.
‘The human cost of the pandemic; the bereavement; rising rates of domestic abuse; vulnerable children; estrangement; children in care or specialist units; children with SEND; a mental health epidemic; social inequality; regional inequality; rising unemployment; economic restructuring; recession; the conflicts between more austerity and a reduction in public services, and more debt which could be passed on to our children; access to further education; access to opportunity’.
You can read more about her role and remit at the Children’s Commissioner’s website.