Stepping up for her six-year tenure as children’s tsar today (1 March), De Souza, a former head teacher and founder of a multi academy schools trust, warns that “children’s futures are on the line” due to the Covid-19 pandemic, government funding cuts and rising poverty.
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“In terms of economic, social and cultural shocks – in terms of deaths – this is a post-war generation in all but name,” she says in a blog marking her first message as children’s commissioner.
However, she goes on to note that: “My predecessors have also started at epochal moments in recent history, whether a financial crisis, or defining our future as a nation, and managed to keep a political focus on the needs of children."
“The adults who came of age in the 1940s had some difficult questions. Their answers? In 1942, the Beveridge report, which created a blueprint for social service provision and eventually the NHS; the Education Act of 1944, extending the right to state-funded schooling to age 15; in 1945, the establishment of UNESCO; in 1946, the establishment of UNICEF; in 1948, the Children’s Act, the UK’s first comprehensive childcare service,” she states.
Admitting, she “has a lot to learn”, De Souza, adds that she plans to spend the first few months of the role “listening to the whole sector”.
“In particular, I want to hear previously unheard voices, from minority or vulnerable groups of course, but also from the child whose identity may fall between definitions which might confer a particular need or disadvantage,” she says.
De Souza, who replaces outgoing commissioner Anne Longfield, adds: “When I hand over in six years time, I want to look back at six years in which adults in power in this country have done even more for children than the post-war generation. I want to see not just a golden age of policy-making, but a golden age of delivery.”
Professionals from across the sector have taken to social media to congratulate De Souza and share their priorities for the next six years.
Thank you Rachel and good luck.
— John Salberg (@salbergj) March 1, 2021
There is so much for us to do. We must ask the difficult questions. We must seek the challenging answers and we must be bold in our response.
There is too much at stake to not get our response right.
One person wrote: “Congratulations on your appointment. In light of growing dissatisfaction with children and adolescent mental health services and schools in regard to gender confused youth, will you, as a matter of urgency release professionals from fear of not affirming self identity in a child.”
Great words , please address the absolutely diabolical CAMHS service which is not fit for purpose . I started teaching in the 80’s and children with mental health issues faced an 18 month wait. Nothing much has changed. Prioritise this please. Overdue.
— Diana Mahon (@dianamahon) March 1, 2021
Another added: “Welcome to your new role. Your appeal to the adults of 2021 to behave as adults and protect our children is apt. Please would you address the issue of masks in schools as a matter of urgency. Our children should not be required to wear masks for seven hours a day.”
Others described the message as “powerful” and “inspiring”.
Meanwhile, outgoing commissioner Anne Longfield paid tribute to the “remarkable, resilient, talented, funny and full of character” children she has met during her time in the role.
These children were also remarkable, resilient, talented, funny & full of character. Everyone of them has a bright future ahead of them and we, as adults, can help them find it.
— Anne Longfield (@annelongfield) February 28, 2021
She said: “My last word as children’s commissioner must go to those children though - who taught us about their lives and inspired us to press hard to improve children's life chances.”
