462.Paragraph 7 of Schedule 5 amends paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 1 to the 2004 Act, strengthening the requirement on the Secretary of State to involve children in the Commissioner’s appointment, by requiring him or her to “take reasonable steps” to involve them.
463.Provision is also made to address a concern raised in John Dunford’s report, “Review of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (England)”, namely that the ability for a Commissioner to be appointed for a second term might compromise his or her independence. The Children’s Commissioner will be now appointed for a single, six-year term. There is no longer an option to renew the Commissioner’s appointment at the end of his or her term of office.