Patricia Lewsley-Mooney took up post as Commissioner on 8 January, 2007. A former MLA and district councillor, Mrs Lewsley-Mooney 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 Mrs Lewsley-Mooney was a co-founder of Shopmobility in Belfast and introduced the post of the first Disability/Equal Opportunity Officer in local Government.
Mrs Lewsley-Mooney is married with five children and six grandchildren.