CYP Now - Concern over next children’s commissioner's failure to back smacking ban

Children’s rights campaigners have raised concerns after the next children’s commissioner for England failed to commit to a complete ban on smacking.

Rachel de Souza deemed too many searches 'unnecessary, unsafe and under-reported'

While smacking children is illegal, in England parents can claim a defence of “reasonable punishment”. In Wales and Scotland this defence has been removed and condemned by children’s commissioners in both regions.

But in giving evidence to the House of Commons education select committee earlier this week, academy trust founder Dame Rachel de Souza was unable to give a view on a ban on smacking.

Conservative MP David Simmonds asked De Souza whether she would follow the lead of the children’s commissioners for Wales and Scotland and seek a complete ban in England.

But De Souza, who is a former head teacher and current chief executive of the academy chain the Inspiration Trust, said: “I need to look into this properly.”

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