A first Children’s Rights Officer for Jersey has been appointed.

The winning candidate, who is yet to be named, is due to take up their role at the end of this month.

The Council of Ministers has made the undetailed announcement on International Children’s Day.

It says a Children’s Rights Officer will ‘support children and young people in care and make sure their rights are defended and safeguarded; to provide information and help young people interpret what is happening to them’.

They say they have also ‘approved a significant new plan for Children and Young People that aims to make Jersey the best place to grow up in.’

A C&YP Plan was one of the recommendations of the Jersey Care Inquiry.

The plan will be presented as a report to the States Assembly later this year, or early in 2019.

“The Council of Ministers have endorsed a new Children’s Plan for Jersey. This is a significant step forward in making Jersey the best place to grow up. It builds on the Pledge for Children and Young People and the work of the Common Strategic Policy to improve outcomes for all children in Jersey.”
– Senator Sam Mezec, Children’s Minister

70 children from 18 primary schools are taking part in the ‘World’s Largest Lesson’ for UNICEF’s OutRight Campaign.

They will be questioning Ministers about the right to clean air.

Deputies John Young and Kevin Lewis and Senators Tracey Vallois and Sam Mezec will be hearing youngsters’ concerns at D’Auvergne.