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Dame Rachel de Souza has published her final annual business plan as Children’s Commissioner for England, setting out a programme for 2026–27 that emphasises engagement with children and embedding their perspectives in future policymaking.
The plan marks the sixth and concluding year of her tenure, a period that began as England emerged from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on that starting point, de Souza noted that her appointment coincided with a return to in-person schooling following extended periods of remote learning, underscoring the scale of change experienced by children during her time in office.
Central to the final-year strategy is a renewed commitment to direct consultation. Since 2021, the Commissioner’s office reports that it has gathered the views of approximately one million children. A further nationwide survey, titled “The Big Future,” is scheduled for launch in May 2026, seeking input on young people’s aspirations, the development of local communities, and the implications of technological change on their lives.
The Commissioner also intends to expand in-person engagement through participation programmes, regional visits, and two planned Festivals of Childhood. These initiatives are designed to ensure that children’s experiences continue to inform both national and local decision-making processes.
The overarching theme of the final year, “to look back, listen, and plan for the future”, signals a dual focus on reflection and forward planning. De Souza indicated that lessons from the past six years would be used to press government departments and public bodies to integrate children’s voices more systematically into policy and service design.
While the published business plan outlines priority areas for the remainder of her term, the Commissioner emphasised that her office would remain responsive to emerging issues affecting children and young people across England.
