As Children’s Commissioner it is my duty to promote and protect the rights of all children, with particular regard to children who are living away from home or receiving social care services. My priority is to listen to children across the country, to hear about their lives and champion their voices.
Our priority areas
The Big Conversation
We launched The Big Conversation survey to hear the voices and views from children and young people across England to share what children really want with politicians and decision makers so they can listen and then act.
The Big Ambition
We launched the Big Ambition to hear from children in the lead up to the next General Election on their lives, and what they want from the government to improve them. Findings from the survey were published and launched in Parliament in March 2024, adding to the work of the office over the past three years to bring the voices and experiences of a million children to politicians.
School Survey
We launched the biggest ever survey of schools and colleges in England, to capture up-to-date information about children’s experiences of school – to drive improvements in how they receive support.
Latest News
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Press Notice: Most headteachers restrict mobile phones in school hours – but major new survey shows online harms still among their biggest concernsÂ10 April 2025Statement -
Statement from the Children’s Commissioner on action plan to tackle grooming gangs and sexual abuse9 April 2025News and blogs -
Press Notice: ‘Crisis in childhood’ warns Children’s Commissioner, as she hosts inaugural Festival of Childhood – calling on decision makers to listen to children Â3 April 2025Statement
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Press Notice: Children living in unfit housing must have voices heard, Children’s Commissioner warns as she reveals its stark impact on their GCSE success  Â28 March 2025Statement
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No child should be homeless: how housing instability affects a child’s GCSE gradesNews and blogs -
The power of storytelling in highlighting the reality of strip searching for young people Â26 March 2025News and blogs -
Celebrating one year of The Big Ambition25 March 2025News and blogs -
Putting children’s voices at the heart of the NHS 10-Year planÂ21 March 2025News and blogs -
The Big Conversation: Angela Salt, Girlguiding Chief ExecutiveÂ20 March 2025News and blogs
Latest Reports
School phone policies in England: Findings from the Children’s Commissioner’s School and College Survey
Over the last four years, I have spoken to a million young people and thousands of parents about the most pressing issues facing children growing up in England today. One issue that comes up time and again – from children, parents, and professionals alike – is online safety. While digital technology provides young people with […]
My Plan for the year, 2025-26
I’ve designed a version of my Business Plan aimed specifically for children and young people, sharing the projects and themes that my office will be working on. As Children’s Commissioner for England, it is my job to listen to you and take your voices to decision makers. In my survey, The Big Ambition, only one […]
Business Plan, 2025-26
The year ahead – 2025-26 – will be my penultimate year as Children’s Commissioner for England. It will also mark 20 years since the establishment of this office – a milestone that offers an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made and a reminder about the many urgent challenges that remain. More than […]
The educational journeys of children in secure settings
Since becoming Children’s Commissioner nearly four years ago, I’ve made it my mission to listen to young people in some of the most challenging circumstances, facing the most uncertain futures.  Children living in secure settings are at the sharpest end of this definition. Their numbers are small, with around 400 at any one time located […]
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Children’s Commissioner’s Written Evidence
The Children’s Commissioner welcomes the opportunity to submit written evidence to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill Committee. This evidence builds on oral evidence provided by the Children’s Commissioner on 21 January, on a wider briefing on the Bill that was provided to the Committee and published on the Children’s Commissioner’s website, and on prior […]
Equal protection from assault for children – Briefing for the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
The Children’s Commissioner wants England to be the best place for children to grow up. Every child should be safe, healthy and happy – and not live in fear. However currently in England, children are the only people who are not fully protected in law from assault and battery. The ‘reasonable punishment’ defence in common […]
Children’s involvement in the 2024 riots
Last July, the country was rocked by the murders of three little girls in Southport. Bebe King, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe who were killed while taking part in a dance class during their summer holiday; a scene of simple childhood innocence destroyed by terrifying violence. The initial response from the community […]
Help at Hand annual report 2023-2024
In my four years as Children’s Commissioner for England, I have heard from more than a million children about their hopes and ambitions, and what they want from the adults making decisions in their lives. Crucially, regardless of their circumstances or backgrounds, children want their voices listened to on how to tackle key issues facing […]
Illegal Children’s Homes
Every night across England hundreds of children are going to sleep in illegal homes where they are often isolated and left without appropriate care. Most of these are run by private organisations which have the least amount of oversight and scrutiny, leaving children at an increased risk of harm. There is no process for checking […]
