Maria Battle, deputy commissioner for Wales, said: "The role is not independent enough, even though the commissioner will be statutory."
The English commissioner will need the approval of the Secretary of State for Education if they want to investigate an individual case. The results of any investigations will be presented to the Government, which will decide whether to make them public.
In Wales, the commissioner can investigate any case that relates to a devolved area, and then publish a report.
The House of Lords had strengthened powers given to the commissioner in the children bill but these changes were amended in the House of Commons.
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