Nursery World - Commissioners across the UK

England is the last country in the UK to appoint a children's commissioner. Wales has had one since 2001, while Northern Ireland and Scotland gained their own children's champions in 2003 and 2004 respectively. In Wales, Peter Clarke has been responsible for the Clywch Examination, which looked into allegations of sex abuse in a school setting. The report of the inquiry was published in July 2004 and has been welcomed by Government and child protection specialists both in Wales and at UK level.

In Wales, Peter Clarke has been responsible for the Clywch Examination, which looked into allegations of sex abuse in a school setting. The report of the inquiry was published in July 2004 and has been welcomed by Government and child protection specialists both in Wales and at UK level.

In addition to monitoring the implementation of the recommendations made in it, Mr Clarke is currently recruiting and training volunteers to support the work of the Advice and Assistance service in Wales and undertaking a comprehensive review of bullying, which is involving the input of children and young people.

In Scotland, Kathleen Marshall has spent her first year travelling across the country, both to raise awareness of her role in general and the rights of children and young people in particular. She is inviting input from groups and individuals about how she should prioritise her work over the remaining four years of her appointment. A consultation on these priorities will be launched shortly.

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