YES: Carolyne Willow, national co-ordinator, Children's Rights Alliancefor England
If they are real children's rights champions, as the Oxfordshire postwas. Children's commissioners are statutory bodies that promote andprotect children's rights, so commissioners without statutory powerswill always be second best. But local children's rights champions canachieve a lot, as shown by children's rights officers and others. The UNCommittee on the Rights of the Child has produced standards forcommissioners that local posts should try to follow.
NO: Norman Wells, director, Family and Youth Concern
The vast majority of children do not need a publicly funded "champion",and it is an insult to parents to suggest that any children'scommissioner can be a more effective advocate for children than theparents who care for them 24/7. Children are individuals whose needs arebest known and met within the family. The most positive thing we can doto support children is to promote stable family life, based on marriage,and encourage children to value and respect their parents.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
