Our role is to champion the rights of children and young people in Jersey – helping to ensure law, policy and practice respect, protect and fulfil the rights of everyone under 18 (and up to 25 in certain circumstances) on the Island.
In fulfilling this role we provide advice to government and other bodies, we conduct policy reviews, research and investigations where rights may not be upheld, we engage with children and young people to hear their views and experiences, and we promote awareness and understanding of children’s rights.
We operate within a wider network of children’s commissioners and ombudsman across the UK and Europe, sharing best practice, collaborating on regional and international initiatives and strengthening children’s rights across jurisdictions.
By anchoring our work in international standards and adapting them to the unique context of Jersey, we aim to build an environment where every child in the Island can be safe, heard, respected and empowered.
Who we are
Select from below to find out more about the individuals behind OCCJ.
Governance
The Office of the Children’s Commissioner for Jersey (OCCJ) is established as an independent statutory body under the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Jersey) Law 2019, with a clear mandate to promote and protect the rights of children and young people in Jersey.
Good governance is central to our work: it ensures transparency, accountability, effective risk-management and that our focus remains firmly on children’s rights. The audit and risk functions, advisory panels and internal processes support the Commissioner to deliver on the strategic plan.
Advisory panels
Three advisory panels play a key role in supporting the OCCJ’s work:
Adult Advisory Panel
The Adult Advisory Panel provides the Commissioner with advice and assistance relating to the discharge of his or her functions generally.
Audit & Risk Advisory Panel
The Audit & Risk Advisory panel provides the Commissioner with advice and assistance in relation to the use of resources by the office, the management of risk by the office, and the governance of the office.
Youth Advisory Group
The Youth Advisory Group is made up of children and young people who represent a wide range of interests relevant to the Commissioner’s functions.
Our Priorities
Our work is about making sure every child and young person in Jersey has their rights respected, their voices heard, and their needs taken seriously.
First, we listen. Children, families and professionals tell us when things aren’t working – whether that’s to do with education, care, health, safeguarding or how services are joined up and we use what we hear to spot patterns and push for change across the system. We also monitor how Jersey is living up to its obligations to children. That means looking at laws, policies and practice through a children’s rights lens and saying, clearly and independently, when something could be better. Sometimes that’s quiet work with Government and services; sometimes it’s public, so that children’s issues can’t be ignored.
We are independent of government, but we work with services to help them do better. Above all, our work is driven by one principle – that children’s rights are not optional.
Our Mission & Purpose
The Office of the Children's Commissioner for Jersey independently champions children’s rights under the UNCRC. We promote and protect rights through research, policy advice, investigations and participation, ensuring children and young people, especially care-experienced, disabled or justice-involved young people are heard.
We influence laws, services and public practice so every child in Jersey can flourish, be safe and have their voice respected.
Annual Reports
You can view OCCJ's current and previous Annual Reports here:
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OCCJ Annual Report 2024
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OCCJ Annual Report 2023
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OCCJ Annual Report 2022
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OCCJ Annual Report 2021
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OCCJ Annual Report 2020
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OCCJ Annual Report 2019
Who we are
- We are an independent organisation.
- This means we are not part of the government.
- We can speak up freely for children and young people.
Our Job
- We make sure children’s rights are respected.
- We check how services treat children fairly.
- We speak up when things need to change.
What We Do
- Give advice to government.
- Do our own research.
- Talk to children and young people.
- Look into problems.
Our Aim
Children in Jersey should:
- Be safe
- Be heard
- Be respected
- Have their rights met
Governance
How we work
- We follow rules to make sure our work is fair.
- We are open and honest.
We take responsibility for what we do.
Support Groups
We have groups that help us – they are:
- Adults who give advice
- Experts who check risks
- Young people who share ideas
Our Priorities
We listen first
- Children and young people tell us what is happening in their lives.
- Families and workers can also share concerns.
We look for patterns
- We find problems that happen often or affect many children.
We take action
- We ask services to do better.
- We speak up so children are listened to and treated properly.
Important Rule
- Children’s rights must be respected.
- They are not optional.