Family Information Service Volume 4, Issue 1 September 2013
FAMILY INFORMATION SERVICE NEWSLETTER
CITY & COUNTY OF SWANSEA
Children’s Commissioner for Wales What does the commissioner do? Those of you that attended our tri-county childcare conference back in March 2013 will have heard Eleri Thomas – Chief Executive Officer speak about the important work of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.Lots of countries have Commissioners and all of them have slightly different jobs, but they all work to make sure that children and young people are safe from harm and that as many people as possible know about children’s rights. Here are some of the things that the Children’s Commissioner for Wales - Keith Towler and his staff do for Wales’ children and young people: • • • • • •
Telling everyone, including children and young people, about the Commissioner and about children’s rights Meeting with children and young people and listening to what they have to say about issues that affect them Talking to children and young people about the Commissioner’s work, what else they think he should do and how he should do it Looking at the work of organisations like councils and health trusts to see if they are thinking about children’s rights Telling people who can make a difference what children and young people think is important and how to improve things Giving advice and information to children and adults who contact the Commissioner's team.
Do you know any children/young people that might be interested in being a Community Ambassador? These are children / young people nominated by their local community groups to take on 3 main jobs; 1. To tell others about the UNCRC (United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child). 2. Tell others about Keith and the Children Commissioners Team. 3. Be a voice for the Children’s Commissioner on the ground and share the great things happening in local communities, as well as things that need to be improved so that the Commissioner can tell others. For more information on the work of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales please visit http://www.childcomwales.org.uk/ Telephone 01792 765600 or e-mail post@childcomwales.org.uk 1