Victoria Climbie suffered horrendous abuse from her carers

Similar posts have already been set up in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, where the holder is responsible for looking after children's rights.

The plans are included in a green paper to be published next week which is also expected to call for improved identification, referral and tracking of children at risk from abuse.

The consultation paper is part of the government's response to recommendations arising out of the inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie in 2000 after her carers tortured her.

Liz Atkins, head of policy and public affairs at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), said the creation of a guardian for children's rights in England was long overdue.

She said: "We believe that the government must finally accept the need for a children's commissioner in England.

"However, the test is in the detail. It is essential that the children's commissioner for England is a powerful children's advocate, independent of government."

Multi-agency working must adhere to national standards and ensure that agencies share information and work together so that abused children do not slip through the net Liz Atkins, NSPPC head of policy

She said the would-be commissioner should have the ability to influence all existing and proposed law, policy and practice.

The commissioner should also have the power to carry out "investigations and make recommendations to government and others with unrestricted access to information", she said.

If the government could deliver on these aspects of any new commissioner post, it would mark "a turning point for inspiring a culture in which children are loved, respected, well-provided for and valued in English society".

BBC Social Affairs Editor Niall Dickson said the green paper also contains plans to forge closer links between local authority departments and closer co-operation between health, education and social care services.

Co-ordinating bodies known as area child protection committees would also be put on a "statutory footing" to clarify their roles and responsibilities, he reported.

Damning report

Ms Atkins said the new system must be child-centred - the child consulted appropriately and the youngster's welfare put first.

"We shall be looking for clear child protection accountability from the workers on the ground to Cabinet level.

"Multi-agency working must adhere to national standards and ensure that agencies share information and work together so that abused children do not slip through the net," she said.

On average, about 80 children die from child abuse in Britain each year.

In his damning report into the death of Victoria Climbie, Lord Laming said the child care system was characterised by a lack of accountability and transparency, poor communication and co-ordination between services, low morale and limited staff training.