A review of NICCY and its important work has been conducted as part of the New Decade, New Approach agreement.
While the Commissioner and his team have welcomed this review, he has concerns regarding certain recommendations that may compromise the office’s independence.
NICCY was established as an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) on 1 October 2003 and has been sponsored by the Department for Communities (DfC) since May 2016 following public sector reforms. 
This most recent review has given us the opportunity to reflect on the last 21 years and the countless number of children and young people we have helped along the way.
Since the establishment of the office, we have provided direct support to thousands of individual children through casework, as well as positively impacting the children and young people in Northern Ireland, through advising government and influencing changes to legislation and policy, to improve the lives and well being of children and young people in Northern Ireland.
Other Commissioners around the UK have also gone through similar reviews and, as a result, their positions have been further cemented as independent, children’s rights bodies.
Speaking about the review, the Commissioner said: “I welcome this review of NICCY and the outstanding work we have been doing for the past 21 years. It enables a public discussion on how we can protect and promote the rights of babies, children and young people – particularly those most vulnerable.
“I look forward to engaging in a formal consultation, that includes the voices of children, young people, parents and careers, as well as academics and those working with children and young people – providing robust advice that will ensure the composition and standing of this office complies with standards expected of independent children’s rights bodies like NICCY.
“Having discussions around the role and importance of this office is timely, given my concerns with regards to the extent to which children’s rights in Northern Ireland are, and have been, facing significant violations and we hope to see progress in relation to strengthening our powers, something that we have called for through reports in 2007, 2013, 2015 and 2019.
“The office and its staff are tirelessly advocating for children’s rights day in day out. Whilst working in a particularly challenging financial situation, where my ability to discharge all of my duties are being seriously threatened, this report, and the discussion around it, will further highlight our dedication to ensuring that every child in Northern Ireland can thrive and have the best opportunities in life.
“Since starting in this privileged role exactly one year to the day of publication of this report, I have met over 5,000 children. In each of these engagements, I have consistently heard children express the importance of having their voices heard.
“These views highlight the vital role of this office in providing children with a platform to share their opinions.”
The Commissioner continued: “The NICCY team has provided all necessary documentation and work to the review team to date. 
“However, we have concerns that I have not yet met with the Minister for Communities, and the fact that there are numerous inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the report, as well as changes suggested that could threaten the independence of the office.
“It is crucial that the office maintains its independence to effectively advocate for the rights of children.
“To compromise the independence of this office, is to challenge the rights of children in Northern Ireland.”
The Commissioner concluded: “It is evident from the report produced that there is a lack of understanding of the roles, duties, and responsibilities of our office. We have raised this issue with the Department directly after receiving the draft report.”
The primary role of the Commissioner is to safeguard and promote the rights and best interests of children and young people in policies or decisions affecting their lives.
The Commissioner and staff use the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as a guiding framework for their work.
All of the Commissioner’s efforts are concentrated on ensuring that children and young people can access these rights in their day-to-day lives, allowing them the best opportunity to reach their full potential.
Article 24 of the 2003 NICCY Order requires the Commissioner to keep under review the working of the Order and to make reports on its adequacy and effectiveness, along with recommendations for amendment which are deemed to be necessary or desirable.
Reports were compiled and issued to the relevant Departments by NICCY in 2007, 2013, 2015 and 2019.
No action has been taken by any of the Government Departments in relation to legislative change, despite requests and we hope that through this review we will see progress in relation the Article 24 recommendations, that will be a positive change for children and young people.
