What we do

The Commissioner's job is to safeguard and promote the rights and best interests of children and young people. She does this in a number of different ways:

Research and Inquiries

The Commissioner wants the Office to base all its work on thorough research when helping children and young people, and has been working with universities and other agencies to do this. The Commissioner has the power to undertake general inquiries into issues where she believes children are being adversely affected. This may be an informal inquiry or a more formal investigation with the same powers of the High Court (as detailed in our legislation) that can include requesting documents or the attendance or examination of witnesses. She can also respond to requests from the Assembly and Parliament to look at issues. The Commissioner is also required to review the ways that those providing services for children listen to complaints and take account of childrens' views.

You can out more by going to the Policy and Research section.

Legal and Casework

The Commissioner can deal with individual complaints from children and young people, or their parents/guardians about government services like education, health, adoption and fostering, youth justice, road safety - indeed any service that impacts on those under 18*. The Commissioner has to take account of any existing complaints mechanism first. Where appropriate the Commissioner can start or take over legal proceedings on behalf of a child or young person if a general principle is at stake.

You can out more by going to the Legal and Casework section.

You can also find out more by reading our Information Leaflet (pdf version), you can also read the leaflet in MS Word format.

Promoting children's rights

The Commissioner is guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international agreement setting out how children should be treated and the rights that they have. The Commissioner is developing fun ways of communicating with young people and encouraging their participation in decisions.

You can out more by going to the Participation section.

An independent review of the NICCY legislation has been undertaken, you can read it here: main report, addendum to report

The Commissioner has organised her office into three divisions dealing with these areas of work, supported by an operations division dealing with strategy and administration.

*The Commissioner can help those with a disability, and those leaving care, up to the age of 21.

NICCY: Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People