Patricia Lewsley - Commissioner
Patricia Lewsley took up post as Commissioner for Children and Young People on 8th January, 2007. A former MLA and district councillor, Ms Lewsley had a long track record working for children and young people before becoming Commissioner.
She chaired the All-Party Assembly Group on Children and Young People and brought and led efforts through the Assembly to put Area Child Protection Committees on a statutory basis.
A community advice worker prior to becoming involved in politics, the Commissioner was a co-founder of Shopmobility in Belfast and introduced the post of the first Disability/Equal Opportunity Officer in local Government.
Ms Lewsley is a single parent with five children and four grandchildren.