Children's Commissioner: Appointment

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A decision made on 15 December 2017:

Ministerial decision reference MD-C-2017-0144
Decision summary title Appointment of Children’s Commissioner
Decision summary author	Director Children’s Policy	Is the decision summary public or exempt?		Public
Report title Appointment of a Children’s Commissioner
Report author or name of person giving report	Director Children’s Policy	Is the report public or exempt?		Public
Decision and reason for the decision The Chief Minister has appointed Deborah McMillan as Jersey’s first Children’s Commissioner. This independent role forms part of the new governance arrangements, which will oversee services for children. The appointment was overseen by the Chair of the Jersey Appointments Commission, following national advertising and recruitment search. The selection process involved both local children and young people, and that of experienced Children’s Commissioners from England and from Northern Ireland
Resource implications There are no additional financial or manpower implications arising from this decision. Budget for this appointment has previously been agreed in July 2017
Action required Deborah McMillan is to be engaged with a view to starting in post in January 2018.
Signature			Position Senator I J Gorst Chief Minister

Date signed			Effective date of the decision

Children's Commissioner: Appointment

Report: Appointment of Children’s Commissioner

Background

The post of Children’s Commissioner for Jersey was established in response to a recommendation made in the Final Report of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.

Central Contingency funding of up to £675,000 in 2017 and up to £590,000 in each of the years 2018 and 2019 was requested by the Council of Ministers in order that work could begin to establish a Children’s Commissioner. The Minister for Treasury and Resources made these funds available in July 2017 (MD-TR-2017-0091), which enabled the process to appointment a Children’s Commissioner to commence during the summer. Recruitment of the officers who will support the Children’s Commissioner was also able to commence.

Children’s Commissioner Role

This is a unique post that is intended to influence widespread positive change for children and young people in Jersey, transforming understanding and acceptance throughout the community of the importance of children’s rights. It is a high profile role which will have a significant public profile.

The Children’s Commission will operate initially in shadow form and will assist the Government in bringing forward legislation to the States Assembly during 2018 that would confirm the independent functions and powers of the Commissioner in legislation.

The new Children’s Commissioner will have a Jersey focus in the first instance, with scope to create a wider Channel Islands focus in the future. The Children’s Commissioner will operate as part of the British and Irish Network of Children’s Commissioners.

Selection Criteria

The Chair of the Jersey Appointments Commission oversaw the national selection process. Longlisted candidates completed an initial technical interview with a former Children’s Commissioner for England and with a Partner from Odgers Berndtson. Shortlisted candidates undertook an interview with a panel of local children and young people, followed by a formal panel interview with the Chief Minister, the Children’s Commissioner of Northern Ireland and the Chief Officer for Community and Constitutional Affairs. The preferred candidate also met the incoming Chief Executive Officer ahead of final approval by the Chief Minister.

Successful Candidate

Following a comprehensive recruitment process Deborah McMillan has been offered and accepted the first Children’s Commissioner for Jersey. She will take up her role in the New Year. Deborah is currently Director of Children’s Services in Bridgend, but seconded to work as Adviser to the Chief Minister and the Welsh Assembly on issues of childhood. Deborah was central to the setting up of the Welsh Children’s Commissioner’s office in the early 2000’s

Terms of Appointment

The appointment is for a 3-year term, with the ability to re-appoint for up to a maximum of 9 years (in accordance with the Jersey Appointments Commission guidance). Renewal would be subject to evidence of effective performance and to satisfying the requirements of the person specification at the time of re-appointment. The role may evolve, as the functions and powers of the Commissioner are established in legislation decided upon by the States Assembly.

Director Children’s Policy