England's first children's commissioner has already identified more than 200 pressing issues and has called on Children Now readers to help him decide which to focus on.

In his first full interview since his appointment last week, Professor Al Aynsley-Green said he wanted children's professionals to tell him where he was most needed. He also promised to be "completely independent" of the Government and said he expected the freedom to carry out any inquiry he liked.

The appointment of Aynsley-Green as children's commissioner ends months of speculation. He is currently national clinical director for children at the Department of Health, where he was responsible for drafting the national service framework for children. He has already started in his new role on a part-time basis but is still setting up his office. Speaking to Children Now after one week in the post, Aynsley-Green said: "There are over 200 issues I've already identified for my little black book. I would welcome input from your readers as to what they think the priorities should be."

He declined to say what he thought the priority areas were but said that childhood disability was a key issue. He also insisted that his close links to government ministers would not prevent him from standing up to the Government. He stressed he was "completely independent of the Department for Education and Skills" and sent a clear warning to the department not to interfere in his remit.

"I am able to mount any inquiry or do research on any issue that affects the needs of children. They can instruct but they can't stop," he said.

He also revealed that he was thinking about how to upgrade the role.

"I know there's been some controversy about whether the English commissioner will have diluted powers compared to other commissioners," he said. "But I'm determined to make sure that's not the case. There are all sorts of things I plan to do."

- Al Aynsley-Green hopes to announce full contact details shortly. Until then send any correspondence via Children Now. Email: cn.editorial@haynet.com.