Section 2B: Involving children in the discharge of the primary function
441.Section 2B (inserted into the 2004 Act by section 107) requires the Commissioner to take reasonable steps to involve children in his or her work, and to provide children with information about the Commissioner’s role and how they can raise issues with him or her. Provision is made for children to be consulted on the activities that the Commissioner intends to undertake in the discharge of the primary function. Section 2B(3) requires the Commissioner (when involving children in the discharge of the primary function) to have particular regard to children within new section 8A, and children who do not have other adequate means to make their views known. It will be for the Commissioner to determine which children fall into the latter category.
442.It is for the Commissioner to decide how best to make children aware of his or her role and activities, and to put in place arrangements that allow children to contact the Commissioner and comment on his or her proposed work programme. The Commissioner may also wish to use other organisations which have an interest in children’s rights as a conduit for seeking the views of children, to avoid duplication and to make best use of available resources.
