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Patricia Lewsley has been appointed Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People.
NEW COMMISSIONER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ANNOUNCED
Minister for Children and Young People, Maria Eagle, today announced the appointment of Patricia Lewsley as the new Commissioner for Children and Young People in Northern Ireland.
Patricia Lewsley has a long-standing record of working on behalf of children and young people in Northern Ireland. She currently chairs the All-Party Assembly Groups on Children and Young People, Disability, Diabetes, Anti-Poverty, and Ethnic Minorities. On the day the Assembly was suspended in 2002, she was due to introduce a Private Members Bill to strengthen child protection arrangements in Northern Ireland, by placing Area Child Protection Committees on a statutory footing.
Making the announcement, Maria Eagle paid tribute to Ms Lewsley’s past work for children and young people. Speaking of her future role as Commissioner, the Minister commented:
I can confirm that Ms Lewsley will very ably fulfil the challenging role of Commissioner for Children and Young People. I have the confidence, and indeed children and young people should have the confidence, that she will take it, mould it, make it her own and, in doing so, will successfully promote and safeguard children and young people’s rights and best interests.
The Minister also made reference to the rigorous public appointment process, from which Ms. Lewsley emerged as Commissioner. She explained that the process had involved young people, and she commended the young people involved for their time and effort. She also explained that the process had been overseen by an independent assessor, appointed by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
In accepting the position, Patricia Lewlsey will be required to cease all political activity, which will mean resigning her positions as SDLP MLA, Lisburn City councillor, and as a member of the party.
Speaking of her resignation she said: “This is about doing what I do currently in a different way. I am passionate about the rights and best interests of children and always have been. My past record speaks for itself. As Commissioner for Children and Young People, I will be able to focus all of my energies on that work and I intend to approach the job with the vitality and enthusiasm the post needs and deserves.”
Ms Lewsley went on pay tribute to the staff in Office of the Commissioner and to Nigel Williams, Northern Ireland’s first Commissioner for Children and Young People, who died earlier in the year.
“I am looking forward to taking up the post and working with the team to build on the strong foundation put in place by Nigel Williams,” she said.
“I also want to get out and meet as many children and young people as I can – so that they know who I am and what I can do for them. As Commissioner for Children and Young People, I will be a powerful, influential and independent voice for all children and young people. I will be there to represent their interests, to protect their rights and to challenge all those who work with and for children to do better.”
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