The
meeting was hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Children
and the Associate Parliamentary Group for Parents and Children.
The
number of people from a wide variety of organisations who packed
the Attlee Suite in Portcullis House gave a clear indication of
the level of interest in this issue.
The
main papers were given by Trond Waage, the Children’s Ombudsman
for Norway and Peter Clarke, the Commissioner for Wales.
Norway
was the first country to establish a commissioner with statutory
powers to protect children and their rights.
Trond
Waage has served in this capacity since 1996 and this is his second
and last term.
The
Norwegian Ombudsman was a clear and well organised speaker, although
the vast amount of material he presented made trying to keep pace
taking notes from overheads a real challenge.
In
view of the density of the detail Trond Waage had a highly appreciated
light touch on occasions. For example after he had been talking
at top speed for around 40 minutes in impeccable English, he suddenly
broke off to ask if we could understand what he was saying....
Trond
Waage began by explaining that the post of Ombudsman for Children
in Norway had been set up under Act Number 5, which was passed on
March 6th 1981 The person is appointed by the Norwegian Monarch
and can serve for two four-year terms. The post was established
because children were seen as being weak and vulnerable as a group
and had no political power.
The
terms of reference allow the Ombudsman to make statements on issues
of concern related to children. No one can refuse to make available
information, which the Ombudsman requires in pursuing enquiries
about children’s issues. But even with this level of statutory
support, it took the first Norwegian Ombudsman two years to get
a Ministry of Children and Family Affairs set up within the Government.
The
Ombudsman saw his role as being about Protection, Provision and
Participation, which resonates with some of the principles of our
own Children Act 1989. He felt he needed to be both pro-active and
re-active, acting as a watchdog who is innovative, flexible and
futuristic. He has attempted to promote a holistic approach, to
try to overcome the ‘sector syndrome’, where various
departments and agencies either see things as their responsibility
and resent interference, or move things on because they see them
as someone else’s responsibility and want someone else’s
budget to be used.
Trond
Waage indicated that there is now a network of European Ombudsmen
for Children (ENOC). UNICEF Europe is currently hosting the secretariat,
which can be found on www.ombudsnet.org.
He
made several affirmations, which underpin his work:
- Children
are not born evil.
- Children
represent the possibilities and the unique potential for change.
-
Children are not expenses; they are investments.
- Children
are not objects; they are human beings, even though they are small.
- Children
are not appendices; they are the main theme.
- There
can be no Human Rights without Children’s Rights.
In
his time in office he had found that he needed to encourage bridge
building between researchers, NGOs, the private sector, the public
sector and the various ministries.
In
order to gain credibility with young people he has had to be able
to demonstrate that he is a truth-teller who can act as a politician
on behalf of children. In order to gain their trust he has had to
prove that he has knowledge of the issues and that he has no hidden
agenda. To communicate with young people he has used Text messages,
TV Programmes and the Internet. He felt that he still needed to
work at promoting effective government structures for children.
His
final challenge was the thought that “with children you build
the country”.
The
next major contribution was from Peter Clarke, the Children’s
Commissioner for Wales.
He
spoke about the decade-long campaign to establish the role. This
was despite the fact that this had been a manifesto commitment of
all the main parties in the National Assembly of Wales.
Impetus
had also been given by the Waterhouse Report, which had highlighted
the need for an independent champion for children. It was also clear
that the interests of young Travellers, young carers and disabled
children must be safeguarded and promoted.
The Commissioner in Wales has powers to acquire information and
can also conduct reviews and hold public inquiries. The Commissioner
is currently reviewing complaints procedures across Wales.
Some
of the issues raised by children were outlined. Young people were
concerned that the wider community treated them with disrespect.
They disliked being regarded as dangerous and a problem.
A very
practical problem had also been raised with him about school toilets.
Apparently many school toilets are so unsavoury and unsafe that
many pupils will not use them. This means that they are retaining
fluid all day and others will not drink all day, thereby putting
themselves at risk of dehydration, with all its associated problems.
While on the surface this issue could appear to be trivial, the
underlying health concern must be taken seriously.
There
were also brief in-puts from Scotland and Northern Ireland, where
arrangements were more advanced than in England, but were not yet
fully operational, despite long campaigns and cross-party support
for the idea.
Esther
Rantzen spoke from the experiences of Childline. The image of children
who call did not coincide at all with their demonisation, which
was prevalent among some sections of society. Many children are
experiencing mental health problems. Last year there were 22,000
calls from children concerned about bullying at school.
She
expressed impatience at the delays in establishing a Children’s
Commissioner in England when the case had been made over and over
again over many years.
Delegates
were urged to take up the opportunity which it is hoped will be
provided by the Laming Report, although there was some concern that
Lord Laming has muddied the water by calling for a Minister for
Children and Families, when it was felt that the focus should be
solely on children.
It
was noted that a Green Paper is presently being prepared and the
opportunity should be taken to respond to this.
In
the meantime Hilton Dawson urged everyone to write to lobby his
or her own MP on the matter.
You can either write your own letter, or click
here, print, personalise and send this example.
