The time has finally arrived for England to have its own children's commissioner. While the Scottish commissioner has yet to be appointed, Wales has had one since March 2001 and Northern Ireland since October.
What's more, campaigners and children's charities in England have been calling for the position for a long time, and NSPCC research in 2001 revealed that more than 90 per cent of young people think there should be a children's champion in England. But now their wish is about to come true, what will the role entail?
The Government's Green Paper Every Child Matters is vague about the exact powers the English commissioner will have and what his or her role will be. It is probable that the job will feature aspects of the Welsh and Northern Irish commissioners' remits, although it is unlikely to copy either completely.
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