Polls suggest more than 90% of children want a commissioner

Children in England should have an independent champion to give them a bigger voice and protect their rights, says an influential group of MPs and peers.

A children's commissioner has already been appointed in Wales and there are similar plans for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Now Parliament's joint committee on human rights is pressing ministers to do the same in England.

In a report welcomed by children's charities, the committee says a commissioner could make a "real difference to the lives of children in England".

A commissioner could be a champion for children's interests at the national level of decision-making. Joint committee on human rights

The committee's intervention follows backing for the idea of a commissioner from Cherie Blair, who is president of children's charity Barnado's.

The committee says: "A commissioner could encourage more and better listening to children and be a champion for children's interests at the national level of decision-making."

The new children's champion could also help young people "assert their rights in a positive and constructive way".

And it would cultivate more respect for those rights in the public bodies responsible for them, says the report.

"A children's commissioner is not a substitute for government mechanisms, not a replacement for non-governmental organisations, advisory services and charities and will not have power to usurp parents."

Tackling discrimination

The committee says many children do not know they are entitled to have their human rights protected and they do not get enough of a say in decisions which affect them.

It highlights the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which says the government must take "all appropriate measures" to protect children from discrimination.

Among the problems the commissioner could address, says the committee, are:

• The growing problem of school exclusions
• "Mental and physical violence by children against children" in schools
• Teaching children about their rights
• Lack of consultation of young people by public authorities

The committee says the commissioner should be able to investigate key issues but not individual complaints.

Liz Atkins, head of policy and public affairs at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children welcomed the new spotlight on the rights of England's 11 million children.

'Turning point'

She urged ministers to move to set up the post in this autumn's Queen's Speech.

"A children's commissioner would be a milestone in helping to inspire a culture in which all children are loved, respected and well-provided for and valued within society," she said. "The publication of the government's Children at Risk Green Paper is imminent and child protection in this country is at turning point.

"An independent Children's Commissioner could oversee and hold to account a reformed child protection system.

"But most important of all, children and young people want someone to turn to.

"NSPCC research shows that more than nine in ten young people think there should be a Children's Champion in England. They have waited too long."

A spokesman for the government's Children and Young Person's Unit welcomed the new contribution to the debate.

"We continue to review how best children's rights and interests can be promoted and safeguarded, particularly in the light of Lord Laming's report into the death of Victoria Climbie.

"We will publish our conclusions in the forthcoming Green Paper on Children at Risk."