Today First News launches #TheChildrensParty supported by UNICEF UK Save the Children UK and WWF UK. Our manifesto is based on Children's Commissioner for England speaking with a million children. In an election year, kids don't get a vote but they do get a voice. Join us here first.news/FNCP…

Children’s Commissioner for England reports that 92% of Child Victims of CSA receive no support and calls for a statutory entitlement to independent advocacy and national network of Child Houses Dr Laura Smith PROMISE

Thousands of child victims of domestic & sexual abuse are navigating complex justice processes alone - this must change. As the Victims & Prisoners Bill progresses House of Lords, victims' experiences must be heard & advocacy made an automatic right: childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/blog/thousands…

New restrictions on vape flavours, packaging and displays outlined in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, are all things I called for in #TheBigAmbition .

It's been shocking to hear from children about the prevalence of vaping, even on school grounds.

Read my full statement 👇

'They do it everywhere, at this point it is as if I have breathed in more vape fumes then oxygen,' girl, 15.

As Children's Commissioner, I have spoken to thousands of children about all aspects of their lives,
and heard so often that vaping is normalised among young people.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, if passed, will prevent thousands of people being disabled or dying prematurely.

Tobacco addicts people at a young age, taking their choices away and then killing them.

The 4 UK CMOs support creating a smokefree generation.

‘100s of vulnerable children sent to illegal & unregulated care homes in England’ So concerned for these children who will have experienced the worst trauma, abuse & neglect, with multiple & complex needs. They need care not inappropriate settings theguardian.com/society/2024/a…

Wonderful to (re)create the mystical production Electric Fields, inspired by Hildegard von Bingen, with this extraordinary team of colleagues, and to welcome light designer Bernd Purkrabek the show! Two more performances Saturday 13th, and Sunday 14th at Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich in Zürich!

Do you know any teachers? Did you know that around 300,000 children a year experience a parent going to prison? Did you know there’s now a free bundle of resources for teachers? Help a child today. Pass it on! ⁦Department for Education⁩ ⁦⁦Place2Be⁩ prisonadvice.org.uk/latest/news/ne…

'Help us to get a healthy lifestyle': children in #TheBigAmbition are acutely aware of the importance of good healthcare. Their generation is uniquely health conscious - yet too many face barriers to services or lengthy delays in care. childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/blog/the-big-a…

Family is central to all of our lives, particularly children.

#TheBigAmbition results show that most children say their families provide for them, that they enjoy their time together and that they give them the stable and loving start they need.

childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/blog/the-big-a…

Cass Review crystal clear on impact of horrible, violent porn on young girls.
Not surprisingly, many horrified by what they saw.
And had 'increased sexual, relational and body dissatisfaction'. Putting it mildly!
Time to stop porn reaching our kids.

cass.independent-review.uk/home/publicati…

How do we bring children to the forefront of the national conversation around public health?

RSPH CEO William Roberts will be sitting down with Dame Rachel de Souza on 23 May to discuss as part of our RSPH Sparks Debates Series.

Read more 👇

rsph.org.uk/event/in-conve…

Mazatlán, Mexico has reached totality 🌑 The first city to experience #Eclipse2024

ICYMI: 'Listen to the children more' - great piece from First News showcasing #TheBigAmbition results & the views of 1m children. Plus, the inspiring  Children's Commissioner for England ambassadors on their hopes for the future. We'll keep working with First News to share our findings far & wide.

Children are passionate about making change - but only 1 in 5 feel like those in power listen. I'm taking their voices, views & experiences to politicians & policymakers with this challenge: listen, and act on what children are telling you. #TheBigAmbition childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/blog/one-milli…

Too often because children can't vote they feel their voices aren't heard, so for The Big Ambition I wanted to know what they thought ahead of the next election.
My Ambassadors and I spoke to FYI - Sky Kids Weekly News Show, who joined the launch of #TheBigAmbition last week.
schools.firstnews.co.uk/fn-education-t…

In 4 years chairing the The Glasshouse International Centre For Music (Sage as was) I’ve attended some wonderful concerts but none better than last week. 300 children from 2 schools in deeply disadvantaged areas of Tyneside came together with the RNS to play on our main stage.

This coming year will be critical for children's rights, with an election, a new government & a new mandate to improve children's lives. I've set out my priorities for the upcoming year - and my final three years as Children's Commissioner for England childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/blog/business-…

Happy Easter by Anastasia Rak Рак Анастасія (1922 - 2014), between 1990-1998. From the collection of Ivan Honchar Museum. Just love it!

We will celebrate Easter at the beginning of May, so I will let you know how we are gonna bake Pasky and make pysanky and krashanky 🥰