NCB Now: Comment - Commissioner must be accountable to children

Al has championed the need for services to be centred on children and young people, and he has the charisma to make governments sit up, listen and change their policies. He knows how things work inside Westminster but, during his time on the inside, has retained his independence. He has made a difference already as the national clinical director for children; we hope he can do so again.

But being able, energetic, inspiring and responsive will not be enough. The new commissioner must also ensure that his office is well connected into the resources he will need. It will be a challenge to seek the views of children and young people across England - not just those articulate few who are used to being heard. Many voluntary organisations have elaborate systems for tapping those views, and they will need to be open in sharing them. Building on these existing networks, and meshing them into one consistent structure, could be a powerful way of uniting the opinions of children, young people and the organisations that support them.