The Joint Committee on Human Rights  has welcomed the proposed change in the Children's Commissioner's primary function, from one of 'promoting awareness of the views and interests of children in England' to one of 'promoting and protecting the rights of children in England'.

In its report, just published, on 'Reform of the Office of the Children's Commissioner - draft legislation', the Committee has recommended that   the Bill should expressly define "the rights of children in England" to include the rights in the UNCRC and the rights of children in any other international treaty ratified by the UK for the purposes of defining the Commissioner's primary function. The Children's Commissioner should also be required to have regard to all relevant international standards concerning the rights of children.

Read more in Family Law Week.