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| New children's 'champion' named | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The new children's commissioner for Wales has been confirmed as Keith Towler, the head of Save the Children in Wales. | |
| A former director of crime reduction for the rehabilitation body Nacro, he has also been a member of the assembly government's New Deal taskforce. | A former director of crime reduction for the rehabilitation body Nacro, he has also been a member of the assembly government's New Deal taskforce. |
| The post has been vacant since the death in January of Peter Clarke, Wales' first commissioner. | The post has been vacant since the death in January of Peter Clarke, Wales' first commissioner. |
| Wales led the way by creating the first such post in the UK in 2001. | Wales led the way by creating the first such post in the UK in 2001. |
| Education and Children Minister Jane Hutt announced Mr Towler's appointment, and he will take up the post in March. | |
| It is especially important that we listen to the most vulnerable children and young people who need extra help and support to give them the best start in life Keith Towler, new children's commissioner | |
| Following Mr Clarke's death from cancer, the commissioner's job has been filled on an acting basis. | Following Mr Clarke's death from cancer, the commissioner's job has been filled on an acting basis. |
| Ms Hutt said she wanted young people to have "the best possible start in life, so as they mature, they feel they have someone to champion their rights making sure that they are represented and treated fairly". | |
| Candidates were interviewed by a panel of eight 14-19-year-olds from Funky Dragon - an organisation for young people - the Young Carers' Network, and the advisory groups in north and south Wales. | |
| Ms Hutt and other AMs, as well as two members of the young people's panel, made the appointment. | |
| Ms Hutt said: "I am confident that Keith Towler will be a great ambassador and representative for children and young people all over Wales". | |
| Mr Towler said: "I am here to take full account of the views of children and young people in Wales and to make sure that their voices are clearly heard. | |
| "It is especially important that we listen to the most vulnerable children and young people who need extra help and support to give them the best start in life. | |
| "I am looking forward to the challenges that the role will bring, but also the reward of ensuring that children and young people have a dedicated, passionate representative here in Wales. I am truly honoured to have been appointed Wales' children's commissioner." | |
| We would like the new commissioner to help get the message across that our children are not all hoodie-wearing monsters Andy James, Barnardo's Cymru | We would like the new commissioner to help get the message across that our children are not all hoodie-wearing monsters Andy James, Barnardo's Cymru |
| He has spoken out in the past on issues such as child poverty, and his work with Nacro Cymru means he has a strong background in youth justice. | He has spoken out in the past on issues such as child poverty, and his work with Nacro Cymru means he has a strong background in youth justice. |
| Before the official announcement was made, Andy James, the assistant director of children's charity Barnardo's Cymru, said Mr Towler's background should provide a sure footing for the job. | |
| "I think the new commissioner for Wales has a very important job in protecting the rights of all of Wales' children and the previous commissioner, Peter Clarke, really left a strong legacy in that sense," said Mr James. | "I think the new commissioner for Wales has a very important job in protecting the rights of all of Wales' children and the previous commissioner, Peter Clarke, really left a strong legacy in that sense," said Mr James. |
| "We hope the new commissioner will take up the reins and continue that work." | "We hope the new commissioner will take up the reins and continue that work." |
| In the past, the prospective commissioner has called for early intervention to prevent patterns of criminal behaviour developing. | In the past, the prospective commissioner has called for early intervention to prevent patterns of criminal behaviour developing. |
| He has also warned against the trend to "demonise" young people as a source of disorder and anti-social behaviour. | He has also warned against the trend to "demonise" young people as a source of disorder and anti-social behaviour. |
| Wenda Hatherley, the deputy director of children's services for NCH Cymru, said she was pleased the likely new commissioner was "concerned to recognise the impact of portraying young people with positive images, with clear views of what they are capable of, what their potential is, rather than negative aspects of what their behaviour may sometimes be". | Wenda Hatherley, the deputy director of children's services for NCH Cymru, said she was pleased the likely new commissioner was "concerned to recognise the impact of portraying young people with positive images, with clear views of what they are capable of, what their potential is, rather than negative aspects of what their behaviour may sometimes be". |
| Mr James said: "We would like the new commissioner to help get the message across that our children are not all hoodie-wearing monsters, and the majority live positive lives." | |