Dame Rachel de Souza
@Rachel_deSouza
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Children’s Commissioner for England @ChildrensComm, Educationalist and social reformer, personal account
Joined December 2010
Here’s my first message as I begin my term as Children’s Commissioner for England and ‘there isn’t a moment to lose’
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1/4 My duty as @ChildrensComm is to make sure any child, no matter where they come from, receives the right support & protection. As such, I’m deeply concerned about the measures in the Bill. It is opaque on what it means for children, their rights & experiences.
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Parents have right to know what’s taught about sex. I strongly agree with @thetimes on this - here are the recommendations I made to @educationgovuk on RSHE materials
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Fantastic to see Tony Hudgell, aged just 9 receive such a well deserved honour from the King. Huge congratulations to him for his amazing charity & work to prevent any other child experiencing abuse like he did. 🏅🏅🙌🙌⬇️⬇️
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‘No ifs or buts’ we must prioritise children and get them all back to school at the start of the new term & school year. Spot on from David Blunkett @Telegraph
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I'm determined to find the lost children who haven't returned to school/never been in the system. Grateful to all the LAs, School Trusts, safeguarding partnerships & @educationgovuk for their help. I'm meeting LAs today & written to ALL of them. Will not stop until this is sorted.
🔴 Thousands of children have “fallen off the radar”, a government tsar has warned as she launches an inquiry to track down youngsters who are not in the classroom
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The Children’s Commissioners of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have written to the PM today calling for safe passage of refugee children from Ukraine to the UK.
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More than a quarter of secondary pupils ‘persistently absent’ these figures lay bare the scale of the school attendance crisis. 3 yrs on from the pandemic, school absences remain at unprecedented highs. We are failing to get children back to school. 1/2
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We need to put children at the heart of recovery from the pandemic by ensuring they’re back at school/in quality education. We need to listen to them to understand the barriers they face & ensure we do what’s needed to support them.
Children’s commissioner @Rachel_deSouza today on *the big* issue of 100,000 off the education radar since pandemic onset— thank you
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Heartbreaking to read this and a most dreadful loss. Thoughts and prayers with Ruth Perry's family, colleagues, pupils and families. Our headteachers are a national treasure - educating the next generation. We must listen to them and support them.
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Please read this piece. It is what I see as I visit schools & services for children around the country. Thank goodness for dedicated tenacious leaders like Mr Potts. Education & the services supporting children need to be a top national & Gov priority
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4/4 I am seeking urgent clarity from the Home Office on the specific provisions in the Bill and what they will mean for children, whose rights as set out in the UNCRC must have absolute primacy.
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We asked children to make a huge sacrifice to help control the virus and now we need to give them something back with much needed support for their education and well being. Time to put children at the heart of our decision making as we come out of lockdown.
More than 200,000 pupils will move from primary school to secondary school this autumn without being able to read properly, according to unpublished government figures.
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‘Children are the least likely to be affected by the virus but they have taken the worst hit’ - that’s why I’m launching #TheBigAsk survey on Monday @ChildrensComm
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The Illegal Migration bill means more children in boats not fewer & I have been given no clarity on the safeguarding processes to prevent more children being lost or exploited. We’re running out of time to protect children. My piece @thetimes
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3/4 These children should have looked after status and be in the care of local authorities from the moment they arrive, with access to legal aid, advocacy, education and care.
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Police strip-searching children as young as eight. The shocking findings in my report - released tomorrow - must now lead to change.
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Wonderful to welcome new SoS Education @nadhimzahawi - his first words to us were about his absolute commitment to looked after children and to deliver for vulnerable children 👏👏👏
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2/4 I’m extremely worried about the impact it will have on vulnerable asylum-seeking children, many of whom my team & I have visited. Visits are one part of my advocacy offer, Help at Hand we also offer practical support to ensure children’s rights are upheld & their voices heard.
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Children need to be prioritised as a matter of urgency. They've been badly affected by lockdown & in the many places I've been to around the country to speak with children they have identified their their mental health & well being as the major barrier to thriving now.
“These are children who are so unwell they cannot go home” report on our survey of the increased numbers of mental health admissions to children’s wards during the pandemic @RCPCHtweets #MentalHealthMatters .
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Great to meet Secretary of State @bphillipsonMP today to discuss key issues affecting children - including safeguarding, additional needs and upholding children’s rights wherever they are. Such a privilege to take children’s voices to a Minister so keen to hear them.
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I remain profoundly concerned at the lack of clarity around what the Illegal Migration Bill will mean for children: those who arrive in the UK seeking safety and refuge from persecution. 1/4.
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Amazing to see so many women appointed right at the top of the new government. Girls and young women will be so inspired to see people who look and sound like them doing many of the most important jobs.
The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP @RachelReevesMP has been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer @hmtreasury.
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Children have told me in huge numbers about how much they are concerned about their physical and mental health. They want to get outside, take part in activities at school and in their communities and enjoy sport, drama and simply play out and have fun.
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Up early for #TheBigAsk launch day. We’re looking forward to hearing from children across the country about their hopes and dreams for the future. Thankyou to @MarcusRashford MBE for great support. Let’s get children’s voices heard @ChildrensComm.
Children’s Commissioner launches biggest ever consultation with children in England as part of Beveridge-style report into post-Covid childhood: Dame @Rachel_deSouza and @MarcusRashford MBE call on children and young people to take part in ‘The Big Ask’ …
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Very good news that government has today committed to a national home school register. Ensuring every child is in school/ receiving high quality education and are safe and supported is critically important and this is a major and necessary step.
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Instructive visit to youth prison in Norway - single figure numbers of inmates nationally - very rarely used and when it is there is huge focus on rehabilitation & therapeutic support & team around the child. The contrast with the English system is stark & improved outcomes
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A fifth of children aged three and four have their own mobile phones! I strongly advise parents that young children should not have internet-enabled phones not least because of the risk of them accessing harmful content.
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Good to meet @article_39 and care leavers in Parliament after they had presented their petition on caring to 18 to No10. We need to care for children in care to 18 and beyond as we all do for our own children.
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My report on ‘Children’s Mental Health Services’ today shows that access to NHS mental health for children remains a ‘postcode lottery’. Welcome improvements in some areas need rocket boosting across the country - children need support
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Powerful challenge from @soniasodha & as I see 1st hand the effect of this crisis on children & YP’s lives it often feels like answers simply haven’t been good enough. I’ve started our childhood commission seeking the views of every child #BigAsk
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Children have identified their mental health/ well being as their biggest barrier in The Big Ask survey - 'school leaders see the emphasis on academic tutoring as the main catch-up strategy as “unhelpful” and they want an equal focus on emotional recovery and enrichment.'.
Most school leaders believe that their pupils’ wellbeing and mental health have deteriorated during the pandemic, new @TheNFER research suggests.
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Crisis in autism care as patients wait four years for diagnosis @thetimes - using my data powers I have exposed the shocking and unacceptable delays for children - often waiting for many years of their childhood for help ⬇️.
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On world mental health day I’m calling for tech companies to show some 'moral purpose' and do more to keep our children and especially teenage girls safe and well online in @Telegraph
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Attendance needs to be top priority - the latest figures are worryingly low & mustn’t be allowed to slip further. Absence was just 4.7% across the board in 2018/9 now it’s 7.4% with special schools at a very high 12.7% absence. That’s a lot of children missing their education.
Attendance dropped across all regions last week at both primary and secondary level. Nationally primary attendance fell by 0.4% pts to 94.4% and secondary fell by 0.2% pts to 92.1%. 📉
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A big welcome back to the new term to all the HTs, teachers & colleagues who work in schools. Over half a million children told me last May how highly they value their teachers, education & school. Thank you for all you do for children, especially in these difficult times.
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I feel strongly that the Illegal Migration Bill does a disservice to the UK's proud history of compassion to children, with profound areas of uncertainty & little time for proper scrutiny. My words to @thetimes:
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We owe it to Arthur Labinjo-Hughes not to be afraid to ask difficult questions & we need decisive action so that children’s voices are heard.
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Today we mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. An incredible life of service & grace.This will be a sad moment for the children of England as it is for all of us. She was Queen for generations of children. The Royal Family are in my thoughts & prayers tonight. God save the King.
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Great to meet with @nadhimzahawi this morning on my 1st anniversary of taking up role as @ChildrensComm Still thrilled we’ve been able to listen to over half a million of England’s children in #TheBigAsk & start putting what they want into action. Still lots to do
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A big thank you to the many head teachers, teachers & school staff who break for Christmas today - you have been amazing in your support for children this term & thank you to all running HAF (holiday and food) programmes and helping children & families over the holiday too 💫.
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Agree that our children can leave this pandemic with the knowledge they were able to weather the trickiest of storms & that should give them great confidence for the future. Time to get behind them. ‘Enough of the ‘lost generation’. @PeterHyman21
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🧵This week is key for #IllegalMigrationBill as it goes back to the @HouseofCommons.I remain deeply concerned about the devastating impact it will have on children - with serious consequences for the most vulnerable - who arrive in the UK, If it’s not amended. 1/7.
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Everyone was a child once, it’s up to all of us to make sure those years are the best we can make them and why I’m so determined to do just that as Children’s Commissioner #WorldChildrensDay @ChildrensComm
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Children in care deserve loving, stable homes that give them appropriate care and support – just like any other child. Decisions about where they live should always be based on what’s in their best interests. 1/3.
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Brilliant to meet @JamesTCobbler Lots of work to do together on radically improving the outcomes, education and experience of children in custody and supporting children whose parents are in prison.
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A huge welcome back to the new school year to all teachers, colleagues & children starting back today & over the next few days. School is of singular importance to children - they have told us so in #TheBigAsk. I wish everyone well for a new year full of hope, learning & joy.
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A privilege to meet nurses, consultants, parents and babies @Bham_Childrens - This Childrens hospital is a national treasure - so impressed by all I saw & the commitment to all Birmingham’s children and families. Thank you for having me @BWCHBoss
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1st Christmas for 31 years without my amazing Mother in Law. We’re all getting together ‘even when I’m gone!’. Think I’ll need a few practice run thru’s of the family signature Parsi & Goan Xmas dishes (to accompany the turkey) this weekend so the nieces & nephews don’t complain
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We have such wonderful children - it’s been an honour to hear from them through the #BigAsk survey & visits. They’ve sacrificed a lot during lockdown. Now it’s time to redouble our efforts, put them 1st, listen to them & meet their needs so they can thrive
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Delighted that @russellviner @TimCoulsonUSP @NPorter83 @jonpayates @michael_merrick @edvainker are to join the @ChildrensComm Advisory Board. I couldn’t ask for better challenge and support for me and for the team as we launch #TheBigAsk survey results.
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The most important part of my last few days in Liverpool was visiting Spellow library & speaking with children and families affected by the terrible vandalism of their precious and beautiful library. Amazing to see this heart of the community being rebuilt so quickly
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Very good to see this family of schools continued vision for extended provision & enrichment combined with superb timetabling skills (he learnt from the best) to deliver for children - arts, sports, electives & so much more learning 👏👏👏
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Happy New Year 2024. Let this be the year that support for children & families is at the heart of every national plan & manifesto. Because nothing is bigger than the lives of children my #BigAmbition 2024 is to make this country the very best place for all our children to grow up
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I’m publishing new nationally representative research today showing the extent of harmful material (inc pro suicide, extreme dieting, self harm, & violence ) children are bombarded with on social media - where they see it & their parents actions & worries
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Important report from Ofsted and HMIP today - it confirms what I have heard from the young people I’ve spoken to in YOI’s. That education and the system more broadly is not working. 1/6
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My message welcoming the return of children to school after lockdown. Let’s listen to children now to hear what they learnt from their experiences during the pandemic and hold on to that for the future | Children's Commissioner for England
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The Duke of Edinburgh's Award stands out as a truly significant and lasting legacy of HRH Prince Philip. It has changed children & young people's lives for the better across our nation (around 300,000 participate in the UK & 1mill internationally). A great legacy of a great man.
65 years ago, HRH Prince Philip established The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, one of his most remarkable achievements. What memories of working towards or achieving your #DofE do you have?. Share your stories here:
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Good luck to all students collecting A levels & results today. You've had to overcome huge challenges & it's been a privilege to talk with & hear from so many of you - you are fantastic! Proud of all & thank you to your teachers,schools, parents,carers & all who supported you.
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This was appalling and unacceptable and must never be allowed to happen again and I am writing to the MET commissioner to ensure just that. Sorry needs to mean it won't happen again.
A black 15-year-old, menstruating girl was strip-searched at her school by the Met Police. Tom Swarbrick asks the Children's Commissioner for England: How does this happen?. @TomSwarbrick1
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Children have overwhelmingly identified mental health as their major concern as they come out of lockdown. We’ll share more as soon as we have completed our analysis of over half a million responses. We must not underestimate the need to support them.
🗣️Dame Rachel De Souza, Children's Commissioner for England, said a survey of more than 550,000 children - the largest such poll in history - will show mental health to be the greatest concern of this generation of children.
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This post covid fall in standards at age 11 is devastating & we need government focus & a bold plan to improve educational standards for all children again.
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Wishing all teachers and school leaders a very well deserved summer break and huge thanks for your exceptional service and all you have done this year for children. (also thoughts with my old team @inspirationeast ). See everyone the other side 💫👏👏👏.
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Great to chat to @AndyBurnhamGM yesterday about the good work Manchester is doing including on data sharing between services that is seeing real results - and good to be heading to Manchester today to speak with colleagues at the #NCASC22 conference.
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Attendance needs to be everyone’s business - it’s not just an abstract metric - we must do everything we can at national, local & school level - to make sure children are in school every day - for their future but also for their well being and safety
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Today I’m sharing my report to Government on how we can keep children safe online - I’ve been deeply shocked by the scale of harm to children & my hope is that action now will make it safer for them to enjoy the fantastic opportunities of the online world
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Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter/ long weekend break - it’s my one month anniversary as @childrenscomm - so huge thanks to my new team and our wider colleagues and partners - for all your support getting me so well settled in - and helping us get the #BigAsk launched.
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My team & I speak with & visit ‘children seeking asylum’ in the hotels regularly. Some separated from parents & don’t know where they are, some there for months & desperate to learn English. There needs to be a better, safer solution for these children that respects their rights.
🔺 EXCLUSIVE: The controversial practice of housing migrants in hotels will continue for the foreseeable future as the Home Office plans to change the law to allow it to act as a legal parent for orphaned child refugees
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Embedding social workers in schools like this is an excellent idea, support where its needed and joined up services - very keen to see the evaluation via @lechris_t.
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Happy New Year to all 🥂 and thank you to the amazing children of England who told me what they need now to thrive & their hopes & dreams for their lives in #TheBigAsk this year. Let’s keep them safe and support them so they can create the better world they dream of #2022 🎉
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In Kent today to visit the unaccompanied children who have arrived in small boats and are in the hotels and to check on the situation for children in the Kent intake centre where they arrive from the channel crossings.
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A huge welcome back to all colleagues in schools starting the new term. Having had COVID this Easter I’m even more mindful of how tough this year has been for schools. Over 500,000 children have told me how much they value their teachers & education. Thank you for all you do.
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Heartbreaking to read about Arthur’s death. Nothing is more valuable than the life of a child. Lessons must be learnt to prevent this happening again.
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I want every child to be in school every day, because it’s the best place for their educational outcomes & their wellbeing. I’m pleased to see the steps announced today by @educationgovuk which aim to intervene more quickly & earlier where there is poor attendance. 1/3.
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Good first meeting with new HMCI @martyneoliver discussing how we will work together to ensure all children - with a special emphasis on those who are vulnerable or from disadvantaged backgrounds - are at the heart of everything we do.
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We @childrenscomm team are looking forward to attending the #ShapingUs Symposium today - nothing more important than ensuring all our children can thrive.
The stage is set for what is gearing up to be an excellent day. We will be focusing on the most important social and emotional skills people need to thrive in the modern world - that are laid in early childhood but continue to grow for a lifetime!. #ShapingUs Symposium
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Heading to Leeds to visit Leeds City Council and their services for children and young people and families in the morning. I’ve heard great things about their work & just read their impressive last @Ofstednews outstanding report. Look fwd to the visit - it’s a great city.
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Joyous celebration with @frankcottrell_b and his amazing family as he becomes the 13th Children’s Laureate and commits to a Beveridge style focus on equity and a better world for our children - with ‘happiness in his heart but stepping with urgency’. An inspired appointment.
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Fantastic late night prom with @annalapwood on the organ celebrating the Moon and stars with pieces from @HansZimmer, Debussy and more @bbcproms - the Albert Hall lit up like the night sky ⭐️ 🌙 💫
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So pleased to see this new law I supported as @ChildrensComm raising the marriage age to 18 in Well done @Pauline_Latham for championing this. My thoughts with the girls & boys I’ve taught who were forced/ persuaded into marriage too young
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After all they've sacrificed this generation deserves to be heard & helped & some children paid a terrible price, in cases that have shocked us all. The experiences of children & the effects on children’s social care should be included in the inquiry:
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Children’s well being must be at the heart of the return to school tomorrow. Access to a counsellor for any child who needs one and children’s mental health services a priority. | The Sunday Times
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Very good to meet with @theresa_may to discuss our concerns with the Illegal Migration Bill and what it will mean for vulnerable children. So pleased to see her continued leadership on modern slavery issues.
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This week, the Independent Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse will publish its final recommendations after running 15 investigations over seven years into institutional abuse. It is a huge opportunity to change the way we do things. - Essential read from @soniasodha.
Adults adopt myths about child sexual abuse to make ourselves more comfortable. It’s children who pay the price.
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Big opportunity for 16/17 year olds to work alongside me with government and parliament to put children & YP’s views front and centre as the country heads towards the next election. Please share .👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻.
I am excited to launch applications for my Ambassadors Programme, a voluntary opportunity for young people aged 16 and 17 to amplify the voices of children in England and to join me to champion their solutions in front of changemakers and policymakers:
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The Reading Room @britishmuseum looking glorious tonight in the Great Court - bathed in moonlight 🌙
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A very happy Christmas to all. Thinking of young carers, all carers working over the holiday to support children & all children who can’t be with family & loved ones. & many thanks & Christmas wishes to everyone my team & I have had the pleasure to visit & work with this year🎄🤶
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Brilliant afternoon in parliament speaking to colleagues from across the House about how, together, we can deliver for children.
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Wonderful to share the views of England’s children on the importance of community, play, sport & & school to help them thrive after lockdown @YouthSportTrust conference. Very impressed by the Youth Board who had powerful stories of how sport had changed their lives
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Looking forward to visiting the children of Bolton next week with Bernie Brown DCS on the first leg of launching #TheBigAsk across England #Bolton❤️ @ChildrensComm.
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If we are serious about keeping every child safe, it's time England takes this necessary step. Too many children have been harmed or killed at the hands of the people who should love and care for them most ⬇️.
Ban smacking in England now, says children’s commissioner
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Lovely interview with @MarcusRashford - especially the Q&A’s with the children at his old primary school. What an exceptional young man. I’m really grateful he helped me with introducing #TheBigAsk
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The beautiful, smiling picture of Star Hobson reminds us how precious the life of each child is. What she endured is unspeakable but it must not be unthinkable. We need to ask hard ?s about how this happened & the even harder ?s about how this is the 2nd case in recent weeks. 1/2.
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Huge congratulations to @Keir_Starmer on becoming our next Prime Minister. One million children have spoken to me about what they need for a happy life - let’s work together to make this a reality.
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My @ChildrensComm Ambassadors - who’ve travelled from up and down the country - in @educationgovuk getting ready to take #TheBigAmbition to Parliament @HouseofCommons
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Heading to Birmingham for #TheBigAsk - now at 450K responses - my brilliant evidence team @ChildrensComm are working so hard preparing to analyse the responses. Over a week left so please keep filling in. We are very grateful to everyone who has done the survey.
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Wonderful to be back @britishmuseum for the first time since lockdown. The Babylonian lion is as fierce as ever.
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