Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England visited Newman Catholic College in North London to talk to a group of pupils who have had difficulties with attendance in the past and who have started tackling being in school with the help of the school and it’s staff. She discusses what the problems were, what changed, and how that change brought about with students who are open and frank about their journey. The visit was part of the Commissioner’s ongoing project to tackle attendance in schools post pandemic.

For more information on the Children's Commissioner's school and attendance work visit our website, https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/school/.

Talking about Attendance: What are the issues

This podcast is a conversation Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England, had with care leavers across England who shared their experience of relationships in the care system and what could help develop them. 

It covers adjusting to the system, the formal relationships children have to build, sibling relationships including separation, and the importance of communication within these relationships.

The insights shared provide clear improvements that will help make the care system better for children.

Conversations with care leavers: Relationships in the care system

As Children’s Commissioner for England, I dedicate my time to listening to children and making sure their voices are heard by policymakers across Government. That's why I was really excited to take part in this podcast, as a previous RE teacher and headteacher, first in Luton and then in Norwich.  It was great to speak with Shammi, Race Equality Advisory, HFL Education, and an old pupil of mine about the benefits of Religious Education in terms of educating young people about other religions, cultures and views.

As a former RE teacher myself, I believe RE teachers have a crucial opportunity to teach children about the wider world and principals of fairness and equality. It was great to talk about how different faiths can teach us different things, for example treating others as we would like to be treated ourselves; having compassion for others; and celebrating the beauty of life in our environment.

Conversation with Shammi Rahman: The importance of Religious Education

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children's Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children. 

In Episode 1 I am joined by three of my Youth Ambassadors, Rylie, Sofia and Maximilian. We discuss their ambitions and some of the big issues facing young people today including education, online safety, the cost of living and mental health & wellbeing.

The Big Conversation: The Children's Commissioner's Podcast - Episode 1 - Youth Ambassadors

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children's Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children. 

In Episode 2 my Youth Ambassadors, Rhea and Maximilian speak to Melanie Dawes, Chief Executive, Ofcom about the work of Ofcom and what can be done to to keep children and young people safe online. 

The Big Conversation: The Children's Commissioner's Podcast - Episode 2 - Melanie Dawes, Chief Executive, Ofcom

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children's Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children.

In Episode 3 my Youth Ambassadors, Maya, Ben and Mehul speak to Ruth Marvel, Chief Executive, Duke of Edinburgh about the DoE Awards and how they are widening access to the scheme so that it can support as many young people to develop skills, maintain their mental and physical health and build resilience.

he Big Conversation: The Children's Commissioner's Podcast - E3 - Ruth Marvel, Chief Executive, DoE

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children's Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children.

In Episode 4 my Youth Ambassadors, Tamar, Emmanuel and Zara speak to Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester and Anglican Bishop for HM Prisons in England and Wales, about young people's involvement in the 2024 riots, community engagement and supporting young people to understand their value and transform their lives.

The Big Conversation: Children's Commissioner's Podcast - Ep 4 - Rachel Treweek Bishop of Gloucester

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children's Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children. 

In Episode 5, my Youth Ambassadors, Aaliya and Tamar, speak to Angela Salt, CEO, Girlguiding about the importance of World Thinking Day to Girl Guides across the world, the history behind Girlguiding, the ongoing fight for equality, and how we can ensure young women's voices are heard in matters that affect them. 

The Big Conversation: Children's Commissioner's Podcast - Ep 5 - Angela Salt, CEO, Girlguiding

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children's Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children. 

In Episode 6, my Youth Ambassadors Aaliya, Emmanuel and Penelope, speak to Mina Gerhardsen, Norwegian Ombudsperson for Children about child happiness, support in the early years, prioritising children and their rights and engaging them in public dialogue, and the issues facing children across different nations.

The Big Conversation: Children's Commissioner's Podcast - Ep 6 - Mina Gerhardsen, Norwegian Ombudsperson for Children

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children's Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children. 



Episode 7 is slightly different to other episodes in the series as it shares a panel discussion, Building the Foundations: the early years as a foundation for childhood, that was part of the Children’s Commissioner’s Our Future Our Voice: A festival of childhood at Young V&A. The panel was chaired by Dr Helen Charman, Director of Young V&A and the panellists were Children's Commissioner Youth Ambassadors Rebecca and Maya, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Children’s Laureate, Jamel C. Campbell, early years educator and author, and Rachel Bagshaw, Artistic Director of Unicorn Theatre. 

The Big Conversation: Children's Commissioner's Podcast - Episode 7 - Building the Foundations, Festival of Childhood Panel

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children's Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children. 

Episode 8 is slightly different to other episodes in the series as it shares a panel discussion, Facing the Future: shoring up the foundations through the teenage years, that was part of the Children’s Commissioner’s Our Future Our Voice: A festival of childhood at Young V&A. The panel was chaired by Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England and the panellists were Children's Commissioner Youth Ambassadors Emmanuel and Aaliya, Dwayne Fields, a Chief Scout, Phoenix Brown, a TV personality, and Kwajo Tweneboa, a housing campaigner. 

The Big Conversation: Children's Commissioner's Podcast - Ep 8 - Facing the Future, Festival Panel

The Big Conversation: In conversation with the Children's Commissioner and her youth Ambassadors is my podcast series where I share the voices and views of England’s children. 

In Episode 9, my Youth Ambassadors Emmanuel, Penelope and Aaliya, speak to Jon Yates, Executive Director of the Youth Endowment Fund about young people's safety, youth crime and violence, focussed deterrence, social dynamics and gangs. As well as discussing best times for intervention, empathy and what works to support young people.

The Big Conversation: Children's Commissioner's Podcast - Ep 9 - Jon Yates, Youth Endowment Fund

In Episode 10, Youth Ambassadors, Annabel & Chan, speak to Ali Oliver, CEO, Youth Sport Trust, and Molly who's sits on their Youth Board, about the transformative power of sport, the barriers preventing young people participating and what needs to be done to make sport more inclusive and accessible to all.

Tell the Children's Commissioner what it’s like growing up in England, your hopes and ambitions and what would make England the best place to be a child by having your say in The Big Conversation Survey: www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/the-big-conversation.

#TheBigConversation

The Big Conversation: Children's Commissioner's Podcast - Ali Oliver, CEO, Youth Sport Trust

In Episode 11, Youth Ambassadors, Aaliya, Penelope & Emmanuel, speak to Professor Martin Griffiths, Trauma Surgeon & Clinical Director Violence Reduction, about the changing nature of youth violence and the need to design services that reflect young people’s experiences. Content warning: topics discussed include knife crime, masculinity, relationships, non-fatal strangulation and external influences including social media.

Tell the Children's Commissioner what it’s like growing up in England, your hopes and ambitions and what would make England the best place to be a child by having your say in The Big Conversation Survey: www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/the-big-conversation.

#TheBigConversation

'Children are attacking children' - Martin Griffiths, Trauma Surgeon & Violence Reduction Lead

In Episode 12, Youth Ambassadors, Annabel & Rosanna, speak to Josh Pelled, Founder & CEO of Bright Futures UK, about what children need to stay connected to their education when they're away from school due to long-term illness and the problems with the support system and communication between services. 

Bright Futures UK is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting young people aged five to 24, who miss school due to serious or long-term illness. Find out more about the support they offer: https://brightfuturesuk.org/.

Tell the Children's Commissioner what it’s like growing up in England, your hopes and ambitions and what would make England the best place to be a child by having your say in The Big Conversation Survey: www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/the-big-conversation.

#TheBigConversation

Children's Commissioner for England

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