Guest post by the Children’s Commissioner : 'It is my job to listen to children, young people, and parents – to make sure the government is hearing and responding to their needs.'

[NicolaDMumsnet]

As Children’s Commissioner, it is my job to listen to children, young people, and parents – to make sure the government is hearing and responding to their needs.

With a general election coming next year, it feels more important than ever to make sure children are at the centre of policymakers' thinking. That is why I am launching ‘The Big Ambition’.

This is a survey that will allow me to hear from children and young people across England about what they want politicians to consider about the issues they care about most. I have reached out to children and young people directly across schools and other settings. But I also want to understand the core issues that affect the early years. So I am asking parents to complete the survey on behalf of younger children and young people who may struggle to have their say.

There has been so much disruption to young people’s lives over the last few years due to  the pandemic and I believe that this is a pivotal moment for politicians to put children at the heart of decision making. To really reflect on what those young people have been through and what they might need in the post-pandemic landscape.

Over the last couple of years in this role, I have spoken to a lot of parents, and I know many say they want to see policymakers really focus on what the next generation needs now. Every day I speak to children and young people who have bright ideas, high hopes for their future, and who care deeply about their peers. They also tell me they want decision makers to listen to what they think about the issues that directly impact them. They often feel sidelined in the public debate, but we should focus on how very impressive the next generation is. They deserve to be listened to and respected.

I want to listen, and then I will share their views and opinions with policymakers and politicians across Whitehall, so they think about children’s needs when they make decisions. 

The Big Ambition survey will be asking what children enjoy about their schools, communities, family life and the wider world. It will be asking what they want for the future, their hopes, dreams, and aspirations. There is also a chance to tell me what you want the government to do and any solutions you want the prime minister to hear. I wanted to include this, as when I have been talking to young people about this campaign, they have been telling me how ambitious they are for their futures and how much they want to achieve. They have also been telling me what would make their lives better. They want local libraries, youth clubs and sport facilities. They also speak about looking after their wellbeing, and how they can be supported to look after their mental health. 

The survey is open to all children aged 6-18 and parents of children aged 0-5 to capture the voices of all children in England. I will be sending it out to almost 23,000 schools as well as to children and young people in residential care homes, hospitals, young offender institutes and hostels.   

 Over the next few months my team and I will be travelling from Exeter in the southwest to Scunthorpe in the northeast and everywhere in between. We will be visiting schools, colleges, children’s homes, secure children’s homes, residential special schools, hospitals, young offender institutes as well as hostels, youth clubs and many other locations to ensure we reach the widest group of young people as possible. 

 After the survey closes in December, we will collate the responses and I hope The Big Ambition will provide a comprehensive picture of the practical changes that children want. I will then take their voices directly to policymakers and politicians, to ensure that what they need and want is reflected in the decisions that will affect them now and in years to come. 

As parents I really hope that you will fill out the survey and encourage your children and young people to fill it in. The more people that complete it, the more we can expect politicians to listen. Let’s make a dramatic impact - our children deserve nothing less.

Twitter: @ChildrensComm
Website: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/