Joint working - Atkinson caught up in political storm

The appointment of Maggie Atkinson as England's next children's commissioner should have been straightforward. As an experienced director of children's services in Gateshead and a former president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS), Atkinson on paper appeared a sound and remarkably uncontroversial choice.

A four-strong interview panel had judged her the best candidate. They were director-general for children and families Tom Jeffery; director-general for criminal justice Helen Edwards; National Children's Bureau chief executive Sir Paul Ennals; and Georgina Butcher, an independent assessor at the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Independence in question

But Atkinson's appointment has since turned into a major political row. The children, schools and families select committee's pre-appointment hearing concluded that it "would like to have seen more sign of determination to assert the independence of the role ... and to stretch the remit of the post, in particular by championing children's rights." Its rejection of her nomination was last week ignored by Children's Secretary Ed Balls, prompting committee chair Barry Sheerman to brand Balls a "bully."

With Atkinson taking up the post in five months' time, questions are already being asked about her coming term as commissioner - specifically her capacity to champion the causes of children and young people and to show independence from government. Atkinson mounted a stern defence of her independence during a Local Government Association conference last week. "Some of you might have entered this room thinking I might be a poodle. I think this might prove I am not," she told delegates after criticising the government's schools white paper.

Many who have worked with Atkinson believe the select committee has got it wrong. Eveleigh Moore-Dutton, a former Conservative councillor at Cheshire County Council, where Atkinson formerly worked, finds the idea that she will not be independent "laughable".

"My experience is that she would often stand up to politicians including myself and was passionate about improving children's lives," she says.

David Anderson, Labour MP for Blaydon in Tyne and Wear, says: "If the government thinks they have hired someone that will roll over and do as they say they can think again."

During her select committee interview, Atkinson said the commissioner's role, "is not a tub-thumping" one but "a post for influencing, persuading, evidence-presenting and expressing the voice of the child and young person." Former ADCS president John Freeman says the committee misinterpreted this as showing a lack of passion. "She may have underplayed her strengths. When she said she wanted to be the voice of children, that means speaking to children so that she can champion their cause," he says.

Children consulted

Former deputy children's commissioner Rob Williams, now chief executive of the Fatherhood Institute, says the committee, "has not fully grasped what it takes to be an effective commissioner. The role requires someone who can manoeuvre their way through the political process, not necessarily shout loudly." He says the biggest successes of current commissioner Sir Al Aynsley-Green have come by negotiating behind the scenes, such as improving conditions for children at the Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre.

John Chowcat, general secretary of education union Aspect, is more sympathetic to the criticisms. "The commissioner should be an independent champion for children but if you look at (Atkinson's) CV it is limited in terms of championing children. Also, her roles such as director of children's services have not really required a degree of independence."

With a general election on the horizon, asserting her independence will be crucial from day one.

Where the Conservatives stand on the role of children's commissioner

Should the Conservatives win the general election, Maggie Atkinson's reign as children's commissioner could be short-lived. Tim Loughton, the shadow children's minister, says the party wants to see the role of commissioner reviewed swiftly. This is not just as part of the party's policy of cutting the cost of government bureaucracy, advisers and quangos, but also to ensure the role is effective in championing children.

Loughton says: "The departure of Sir Al Aynsley-Green should have been a good time to take a step back, review the role and see just how effective it is as a champion for children. What we would like to have seen is for the government to look to appoint an acting commissioner while this review took place."

He also questions whether there is a need for the commissioner's back-up office, 11 Million, which has a £3m annual budget. Loughton believes in having a champion of children within government, but that this role should be "independent of government and answerable to Parliament."

"The bullying tactics used by Ed Balls to sweep aside the select committee's views have put into question whether the role is truly independent," he says.

Atkinson also has some personal ground to make up with the Tories. Loughton says: "I don't know what she is like as a person, but what I can say is that it is very strange that not once did she attempt to meet me while she was president of the ADCS. In contrast, I am practically having a conversation on a weekly basis with her successor Kim Bromley-Derry."