Hello
We've been contacted by the Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, who wants all your children to fill in the Big Ask survey, which is shaping up to be the biggest ever survey of children in England.
Nearly half a million children and young people have already taken the survey to share their thoughts on the barriers that hold them back, and where they would like more support.
At the moment the Commissioner has had loads of responses from children in secondary school and upwards (lots of children have filled in the survey as part of citizenship lessons) - but she'd really like more from:
primary school children
children who are home-schooled
parents of babies and toddlers (there's a special survey for you)
The survey closes on May 28 so if your child hasn't done it yet please do ask them to fill it in.
Here's a message from Dame Rachel herself:
"Parents know better than anyone how tough the last year has been for children. Most of our children couldn’t see their friends and family during lockdown, spent long periods out of school, had to adapt to home learning, couldn’t play outside, couldn’t go to any of their usual activities, and missed out on so many of the things that children love to do. Some are having to cope with the loss of a loved one.
As Children’s Commissioner for England, it’s my job to speak up for children in England, stand up for their rights, and make sure the people in power know what children need and to act on it.
This is more important than ever as we look to a future post-pandemic. I think the sacrifices that children made to help us fight Covid need to be recognised and rewarded by putting their interests and their futures at the top of the political agenda.
Later this year I will publish a report on my ‘Childhood Commission’, identifying the barriers that are holding back many of our children and proposing a blueprint of solutions for Government and others to tackle long-standing problems affecting children – from better mental health services to improving early years support.
My Childhood Commission will have the views of children at its heart. That’s why last month I launched ‘The Big Ask’ survey, .
It’s already the largest ever survey of children and young people in England, and we are on target to hit an incredible half a million responses in the next few days. We’ll use the results to show the Government what children and families think, and what children need to live happier lives.
I’m really keen to hear from children of primary school age and from children who are home-schooled. Lots of primary schools across the country have already taken part, as have many home-schooled children, but I’d like to take this opportunity to ask Mumset users to encourage your children to do the survey if they haven’t already done so. For younger children that could mean you doing it together. We also have an adult version of the survey where parents of babies and toddlers can tell us what they think the very youngest children would want to say about their futures.
The survey only takes 5-10 minutes and can be accessed here. It’s open until Friday 28 May.
Thank you for your support and for helping me to give children a voice."