26 July 2022
Jersey's Children's Commissioner, Deborah McMillan, has resigned from her post after four and a half years. The role will be filled on an interim basis by Andrea Le Saint, who has been working for the Commissioner's Office as Senior Practitioner for Advice, Support and Investigation. A recruitment process for a permanent successor will begin shortly.
Deborah McMillan said: "This has been a very difficult decision to make, and it is with real sadness that I have resigned from my post as the Island's first Commissioner for Children and Young People.
"However, I can step back with the comfort of seeing what great progress we have been able to make in establishing the office, and indeed the beginnings of an Island-wide culture, that better protects and promotes children's human rights.
"I am immensely proud of what we have managed to achieve in the past four and a half years, and of the fantastic team that I shall be leaving behind. I am pleased and reassured to see that Andrea will be taking over the reins in an interim capacity, and I'm sure the appointments process will select a permanent successor who is similarly committed to championing the rights and voices of Jersey's children."
Andrea Le Saint joined the Commissioner's team in 2019, firstly as the lead for the office's Participation function, before going on to become the senior practitioner responsible for leading the office's Advice, Support and Investigation function. She is a qualified social worker with a background in direct work with children, including safeguarding through advocacy (child protection), participation, mental health and sexual abuse.
The Chief Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore, said: "I would like to pay tribute to the leading role Deborah has played in Island life as a champion for the rights of children and young people in Jersey. She has brought passion and diligence to the role through her great clarity of purpose, and I wish her the very best for her future endeavours."
The President of the Scrutiny Liaison Committee, Deputy Sam Mézec, said: "The Children's Commissioner has made a lasting impact on the Island. Deborah's support for landmark legislation, such as the smacking ban, has shown how important the Children's Commissioner's Office has become in making a real difference to children in the Island."
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