There is a sense of peace and quiet in Maggie Atkinson's London Bridge office, which has large windows overlooking the Thames. But the peace is disturbed every afternoon when hundreds of local school children pass along the river walkway on their way home. It is an interruption, however, that Dr Atkinson seems to welcome.
'I like children - that's why I'm here. I enjoy talking to them and they seem to enjoy talking to me,' she says.
At the time of being interviewed, Dr Atkinson is in the process of establishing contact with the new ministerial team, and is upbeat about the coalition's commitment to ending the detention of children in the UK for immigration purposes. She praises the 'fresh energy' and 'new eyes' the coalition represents.
'We welcome the appointment of Sarah Teather, who is new to ministerial work, and of Tim Loughton, who has experience of carrying the children's brief,' she says. 'In these appointments (as Minister and Under Secretary respectively for Children and Families) there is a commitment to work across the previous political divide.'
NEED FOR DEBATE
The role of the Children's Commissioner was created by the Children Act 2004 and is there to promote and champion the views of children and young people, with the aim of effecting change and improving outcomes.
Dr Atkinson succeeds Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green, who became the first occupant of the post in 2005, coming from a distinguished background in paediatrics. Dr Atkinson says, 'We have different backgrounds - with my own being in teaching - and I expect that I will not do as much international outreach as my predecessor. He was a committed champion of children, as am I. Everyone brings their different style and strengths.'
Since the controversy that followed her appointment in March, it is fair to say that Dr Atkinson has kept a low media profile. Questioned in an interview with The Times, her support for a rise in the age of criminal responsibility was linked to the killers of James Bulger, prompting calls for her resignation.
The official press statement issued from her office at the time called for 'a measured debate about the systems that should be in place to effectively deal with young children who are accused of offending and to ensure the best protection and support for victims'.
She reiterates her opposition to the legislation that now allows reporting in family courts. 'Legislation went through to allow coverage in the courts but there will be ongoing discussion, and a need for judges to use their discretion vigorously in the future,' Dr Atkinson says.
The 'Children's Commissioner Annual Business Plan April 2010-April 2011' outlines its key areas of concerns, including safeguarding, education, health, youth justice, children and young people's positive contribution and participation, and asylum. It also defines its strategies around its core business and stakeholder activities, and sustainability.
For Dr Atkinson, this summer will be a hectic one, meeting as many children as possible by visiting children's centres, organisations and bodies, nationwide.
'Giving children a voice is the platform on which we base what we do,' she says. 'We will continue to work around issues to do with asylum and refugees and develop our voice in education. We are also looking closely at issues around mental health, approaching it from the perspective of what children themselves have to say.
These children have complex and many-layered difficulties and need to be listened to.
LISTENING TO OTHERS
'But we are not banging the desk for more resources. There have to be more sensible, clever ways of dealing with children who get stuck in the system and are not being helped. Part of finding solutions is to listen to the voices of the service users.'
On the 'Children Are Unbeatable' campaign, of which her predecessor was a staunch supporter, Dr Atkinson says there must be recognition of how difficult parenting can be. 'On a personal level, I disagree with smacking, but we should be talking about how we help parents use other means,' she says. 'We need to keep the discussion going and reflect views back to the Government.'
While Professor Aynsley-Green fought for the power to report directly to the Government rather than the then DCSF, Dr Atkinson points to powers which are clearly laid out within the parameters of a statutory role. Yet she acknowledges the role is an unusual one.
'There are ways we can join our voice to organisations such as children's trusts, charities and voluntary groups, but we have to be scrupulously objective,' she says. 'We have to maintain the right to stand back from what they are doing according to what children are telling us.'
Despite her optimism about working with the new Government, she concedes there are uncertainties. In the current climate, and with the role now having existed for five years, she believes there may be a re-evaluation. And the spacious office she and her team occupies, with a specially designed space for children, may not be cost-effective.
'It is less used than it might be and it is funded by public money,' she says. 'We may be asked how we can best house ourselves in the interest of savings.'
However, looking ahead she is determined to maximise the potential of the role with all available resources.
'I am an optimist - the "glass is half full" sort of person,' she says.
'I believe strongly in the power of human aspiration and ambition. I see this all the time when I visit children and families. We have some remarkable families and young people in this country.'
CURRICULUM VITAE
Dr Maggie Atkinson was appointed Children's Commissioner for England in 2009, taking up the post on 1 March 2010. She has a 30-year career working with, and in the interests of, children and young people.
Graduated from Cambridge with a degree in History in 1978 and went on to get her PGCE from the University of Sheffield a year later. In 2008 she gained a doctorate in English from the University of Keele.
Began her career teaching English and taught in schools ranging from inner cities to shire counties for 11 years.
Most recently she was director of children's services in Gateshead. This involved leading staff in various professions and disciplines, as well as 88 partner schools. She also headed revenue budgets for all council services for children and young people.
On the national stage Dr Atkinson has been:
- President of the Association of Directors of Children's Services
- Chair of the multi-agency Centre for Excellence in Outcomes
- Chair of the Children and Young People's Workforce National Partnership, which included skills councils, unions, third-sector stakeholders and public bodies.
In addition, she has held a range of positions in local government, including county manager (education standards) at Cheshire County Council, assistant director (quality assurance) at Warrington Council, Ofsted Inspector at Kirklees MBC, and adviser, schools management support, at Birmingham City Council.
Dr Atkinson is married with two adult stepchildren. She is a keen gardener, craftswoman and musician.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The 'Children's Commissioner Annual Business Plan' can be downloaded at http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_399