Following the second reading of the Children's Commissioner for Wales Bill in the Commons last week, both the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and ChildLine said the rest of the UK and Northern Ireland should follow the lead of Wales and appoint their own commissioners.
But the NSPCC voiced concern that the Bill said the commissioner would not be able to comment on decisions by courts and tribunals involving children, and might also restrict the commissioner's ability to review and investigate child deaths.
NSPCC chief executive Mary Marsh said, 'We warmly welcomes the establishment of a Children's Commissioner for Wales. However, we are concerned that the Bill, as it stands, gags the commissioner in a number of areas where his expertise could be very valuable. The Government could strengthen the legislation now to ensure that children have a real champion. Child abuse does not stop at the border between Wales and England. Similar posts must be created in the rest of the UK, with wide-ranging powers to investigate, report and act.'
Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat shadow health minister, backed the NSPCC's stance and said the full extent of child homicide was 'still hidden', with a 'disturbing lack of information on the causes and circumstances of unexpected or suspicious child deaths'. He added, 'The appointment of a Children's Commissioner is not a quick fix for the child protection system.
It should be part of the long-term aim of reducing child homicides.'
During last week's debate in the House of Commons, Debra Shipley, Labour MP for Stourbridge, asked whether England would not also benefit from having a children's commissioner. Chris Ruane, Labour MP for the Vale of Clwyd, replied, 'I, too, would welcome a similar commissioner for England, and for Scotland and Northern Ireland.'
Paul Murphy, the Welsh secretary, said the Bill formed 'a major part of the strategy of the National Assembly for Wales to promote and safeguard the rights and welfare of children in Wales' and that 'Wales is leading the way for the UK in developing the office of Children's Commissioner. I am sure that other parts of the United Kingdom will watch his progress with great interest.'
The post was established in direct response to the first recommendation of the Waterhouse report, which investigated abuse in children's homes in Wales. The Children's Commissioner is Peter Clarke, currently director of ChildLine in Wales, who was appointed last month.
