Children's Ombudsman

The Children's Ombudsman, Children's Commissioner, Youth Commissioner, Child Advocate, Children's Commission, Children's Ombudsman, Youth Ombudsman or equivalent body is a public authority in various countries charged with the protection and promotion of the rights of children and young people, either in society at large, or in specific categories such as children in contact with the care system. The agencies usually have a substantial degree of independence from the executive, and generally operate as specialised ombudsman offices or national human rights institutions, dealing with individual complaints, intervening with other public authorities, conducting research, and – where their mandate permits them to engage in advocacy – generally promoting children's rights in public policy, law and practice. The first children's commissioner was established in Norway in 1981. The creation of such institutions has been promoted by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, and, from 1990 onwards, by the Council of Europe.

Largely a European phenomenon, although some exist in other regions, many of the institutions belong to the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC). There are also sub-regional networks, including the Children's Rights Ombudspersons' Network in South and Eastern Europe (CRONSEE), created in 2006, and the British and Irish Network of Ombudsmen and Children’s Commissioners (BINOCC), which first met in 2005.

The first National Children's Commissioner, appointed in February 2013 for a five-year term commencing 25 March, is Megan Mitchell, formerly the New South Wales Commissioner for Children and Young People. Her role is to promote public discussion and awareness of issues affecting children; conduct research and education programs; consult directly with children and representative organisations; and examine Commonwealth legislation, policies and programs that relating to children's human rights. The Australian Human Rights Commission had proposed the creation of the office in 2010, and the Commissioner will be based within the AHRC.

The Commonwealth Ombudsman and State ombudsmen retain some jurisdiction over matters affecting children.

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