The Chief Executive of family charity 4Children has been selected as the ‘preferred candidate’ to become Children’s Commissioner in February next year.
The Children’s Commissioner works to promote the interests of children, in conjunction with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, a non-departmental government body. The post was established under the Children Act 2004 and acquired new powers under the Children and Families Act 2014.
Anne Longfield OBE has been cited by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan as the strongest candidate to succeed current Commissioner Maggie Atkinson when the latter steps down next year.
The Chief Executive said she was “delighted” to be named preferred candidate.
“[The Children’s Commissioner for England] is a crucial role with the potential to make a huge impact for some of the most vulnerable children in England.”
She was “immensely proud” of 4Children’s achievements during the two decades she had been involved with the charity, she added.
The appointment is due to be confirmed later this month.
4Children describes itself as a “national charity all about children and families”. It is involved in the delivery of children’s services and works to influence national policy.
