A Children’s Champion? - The role and powers of the Scottish Children’s Commissi

Report by Wendy Cater. Edinburgh, 26th April 2004

Report by Wendy Cater.
Edinburgh, 26th April 2004
 

Day one on the job and Kathleen Marshall made sure we all knew where she was going.
Joking aside the day was a very full one. Brian Taylor (Political Editor for BBC Scotland) opened the conference, setting the scene for a full but relaxed day ahead. The day was split into four sessions, at the end of each session there was an opportunity for questions and voting on key points.  

Session One: Setting the Scene

Jackie Ballie, MSP emphasised that although the Children’s Commissioner had been appointed by parliament, the role is to be independent. Parliament felt that although the Commissioner should have the power to investigate all matters pertaining to children in Scotland she would not deal with individual cases. Great emphasis was also placed on the fact that the Commissioner’s role must not duplicate any existing roles in Scotland and that the role would deal with all children in Scotland and not just Scottish children.
Kathleen Marshall then took the stand to explain the role she had taken on, her powers and her priorities. Kathleen explained that her selection had also included interviews with panels of youngsters from all over Scotland. Having taken on board what had been said by children she felt her role was to be a real voice for children as adults often think they know what the young want. She emphasized that all providers of services to children would come under her remit however this did not include parents. Her plans are to travel across Scotland finding out what young people and children want and need from her. Although she has the power to investigate and command reports she felt she would start by gathering information, planning her workload and making a list of priorities. Her first job is to establish a permanent office with a child friendly shop front close to parliament where she intends to keep her finger on the pulse. In summary she would be proactive, independent and driven by the children of Scotland.

Session Two: Implementation of Good Practice

This session started with a presentation by Professor Jacob Doek from the United Nations Committee on the Right of the Child who felt that the role of the Commissioner should be one of support for parents and family life. Peter Clark, Welsh Children’s Commissioner then reported on his work and praised the wisdom of Kathleen Marshall in taking things slowly.
Lena Nyberg the Swedish children’s ombudsman explained her role and reported that in Sweden they have successfully made smacking a crime and they are going to try the same with bullying.

Session Three: Confronting the Issues

Two trainee project workers from Save the Children gave a short talk on work they are doing to help children and young people involved with Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transsexual issues. Projects included joint work between young people and the police where they had addressed issues in the community and were trying to build bridges by talking together in an informal setting.
Andrew Mellor from the Anti Bullying Network talked about forms of bullying that still needed to be addressed. An important message that still needed to be communicated was that bullying does not necessarily create stronger adults and that if adults were treated in the same way that children often are then we would be horrified. Children have the same rights to respect and dignity.
Lucy Ritchie and Karen Sutherland from “Playback” certainly got their message over loud and clear. This was that disabled young people do not want others to learn all the ins and outs of their condition but to see them as people first and ask them what they want to achieve. Food for thought for all of us who thought we knew how to help.
The afternoon session was bought to a close by Douglas Bulloch who spoke of the legal role of the courts in trying to protect the children of Scotland and how we often write off children although many of them can achieve if they get the right help. He said that it is important that the Children’s Commissioner should look after the most vulnerable and help them to help themselves.
Kathleen Marshall closed the conference by laying out her plans to travel the country in order to listen to children and young people. I wish her well and was very impressed but the whole conference.