The Commissioner for Children and Young People (Northern Ireland) Order 2003

Duties of the Commissioner

7.—(1) The Commissioner shall promote—

(a)an understanding of the rights of children and young persons;

(b)an awareness of the importance of those rights and a respect among children and young persons for the rights of others; and

(c)an awareness of matters relating to the best interests of children and young persons.

(2) The Commissioner shall keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice relating to the rights and welfare of children and young persons.

(3) The Commissioner shall keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of services provided for children and young persons by relevant authorities.

(4) The Commissioner shall advise the Secretary of State, the Executive Committee of the Assembly and a relevant authority on matters concerning the rights or best interests of children and young persons—

(a)as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a request for advice; and

(b)on such other occasions as the Commissioner thinks appropriate.

(5) The Commissioner shall take reasonable steps to ensure that—

(a)children and young persons and their parents are made aware of—

(i)the functions of the Commissioner;

(ii)the location of the Commissioner’s office; and

(iii)the ways in which they may communicate with the Commissioner;

(b)children and young persons are encouraged to communicate with the Commissioner;

(c)the content of any matter published by the Commissioner takes account, so far as practicable, of the age, understanding and usual language of any children or young persons by whom it is intended that such matter will be read and of the effect of any disabilities they may have;

(d)the views of children and young persons and their parents are sought concerning the exercise by the Commissioner of his functions;

(e)the services of the Commissioner are, so far as practicable, made available to children and young persons in the locality in which they live.