Role of the Children's Commissioner
The Children’s Commissioner is focused on the promotion and protection of children’s rights which is underpinned by the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Find out more about the
UNCRC on the Unicef website.
The Children’s Commissioner for Jersey:
- supports children and young people to find out about children’s rights
- listens to children and young people to find out what’s important to them
- advises children, young people and those who care for them if they feel they’ve got nowhere else to go with their problems
- influences government and other organisations who have a responsibility for making a difference to children’s lives, making sure they keep their promises to children and young people
- speaks up for children and young people on important issues – The Commissioner will be the children’s champion
The Commissioner also encourages and supports all schools in Jersey to become Rights Respecting Schools. Find out more about
Rights Respecting Schools on the Unicef website.
Appointment of the Children’s Commissioner
Deborah McMillan was appointed Children’s Commissioner for Jersey on 8 January 2018. She is a former police officer, teacher and director of children’s services in the UK.
Her appointment as Commissioner was after a recruitment process which included being interviewed by a panel of young people.
Her priority as the Commissioner is to listen to children and young people and make sure their voices are heard.
Legislation
The Commissioner for Children and Young People (Jersey) Law 2019 provides the Commissioner with a statutory framework for operation.
It allows the Commissioner to:
- provide children and young people with information about their rights
- support children and young people to complain
- work with people and organisations who provide services to help them to solve any problems or complaints at the earliest opportunity
- ask for information from people providing services to children and young people
- visit places where children and young people are cared for, accommodated or receive services and speak to them
- investigate cases where the rights of children and young people have not been respected and suggest how things could be improved
- go to court for children and young people in certain circumstances
It does not allow the Commissioner to:
- give formal legal advice
- enter people’s private homes without permission
- investigate anything relating to the decision-making of a court or tribunal
- investigate anything currently before a court or tribunal
Read the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry report on the States Assembly website.
Find more information on our the Children's Commissioner for Jersey website.
Results of Island wide consultation
The Commissioner held an Island wide consultation in 2018. The consultation asked for views from children and young people aged 3-18 as well as adults and professionals working with children and young people.
Children's Commissioner consultation 2018:3 to 7 year olds
Children's Commissioner consultation 2018:7 to 11 year olds
Children's Commissioner consultation 2018:11 to 18 year olds
Children's Commissioner consultation 2018: Adults and professionals
The findings from the Children's Commissioner consultation
gov.je