Children’s Commissioner (FOI)

​Request

Please confirm:

A

The total number of individuals employed to work for the office of the Children’s Commissioner;

B

The role and function of these employees;

C

The total annual cost of employing these individuals;

D

The total annual cost of office accommodation for the Children’s Commissioner and the staff working in the Commissioner’s office;

E

If any additional funding has been received by the Commissioner’s office to support the work of the Commissioner since the office was established;

F

If any requests for additional funding have been made by, or on behalf of, the Commissioner’s office.

Response

A

The Office of the Children’s Commissioner currently employs four full time and three part time staff. This is the equivalent of 5.8 FTE (full time equivalent). Additionally, there is one secondment for 0.2 FTE for a time limited period. There is currently a vacant post.

B

Children’s Commissioner

The Commissioner's job is to promote and protect children’s rights by: - 

• supporting children and young people to find out about their rights

• listening to children and young people to find out what’s important to them

• advising children, young people and those who care for them if they feel they’ve got nowhere else to go with their problems

• influencing and monitoring government and other organisations who have a responsibility for making a difference to children’s lives, making sure they keep their promises to children and young people

• speaking up for children and young people on important issues – The Commissioner will be the children’s champion

• acting ‘without fear or favour’ of government, children’s agencies, or the voluntary and private sectors

Executive Assistant

Supports the team by providing a comprehensive, confidential administrative service to the Children’s Commissioner, acting as first point of contact for all enquiries.

Project Manager

Manages the effective and timely delivery of a portfolio of projects related to the work of the Children’s Commissioner.

Policy Principal

Supports the Commissioner to review the way that all public bodies carry out their work to ensure that they are focused on children’s rights. Through influencing the development of local policy, the Commissioner can ensure that the Government and organisations seek to continually improve services for children and young people.

Case Worker

This role is to act as a source of help and support for children and young people, or those who care for them, when they feel there is nowhere else to go with their problems.

Participation Officer

+

Communications Officer

Supports the team to raise the awareness of children’s rights and of the work of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. They ensure that we have a visible presence using all media and help to promote a positive image of children and young people in Jersey.

Rights Respecting Schools Lead

Promotes the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award in Jersey and support schools to achieve accreditation at Bronze, Silver and Gold. (Seconded 0.2 FTE)

C

Total Annual Cost - £426,980.00

D

Cost of Office Accommodation - £40,644.60

E

In July 2017 the then Chief Minister consulted with the Council of Ministers and requested that the Treasury and Resources Minister approve an allocation of £1,463,000 to come from Central Contingency funding to establish and support the Children’s Commissioner and the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for three years (2017, 2018 and 2019). This was approved through a Ministerial decision.

It was proposed that the £1.4m be drawn down in 2017, 2018 and 2019 but that the amount for each year may vary without exceeding the total amount over the three years. The indicative allocation was £283K in 2017, and up to £590K in each of the years 2018 and 2019.

F

The Council of Ministers agreed that the increase in funding and staffing levels would be the subject of a growth bid for 2020 and beyond through the Medium Term Financial Plan.

In August 2018 the Commissioner submitted a summary business case for additional funding for £185,000 for 2019. The increased funding will allow the Commissioner to deliver on her strategic priorities and deliver her mandate and functions as set out in the forthcoming legislation.

The Children’s Commissioner’s website will be launched in early July 2019 where the Commissioner will be publishing an annual report to include annual accounts.