Professor Aynsley-Green, is currently working in a part-time capacity and will become full-time on 1st July 2005.
He took the opportunity to meet with Mr Williams to discuss issues of interest to both commissioners and hear first hand from the Northern Ireland Commissioner, his experiences of setting up an office from scratch.
Nigel Williams said of the visit:
“I look forward to working with the new English Commissioner and wish him well in his post. This visit was an ideal opportunity to exchange information about, amongst other issues, our experience of developing a strategy and issues we faced in our first year of operation.
“Indeed we plan to have regular group meetings, along with the Scottish and Welsh commissioners, to exchange ideas and experiences and improve the lives of children and young people.”
Professor Al Aynsley-Green said:
“I am full of admiration for the way NICCY has developed a real child and young person friendly ethos and a thought-provoking strategy. As I begin my new role I want to draw on the experience of the other UK commissioners to ensure that we achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
“Working closely with Nigel will be vital in going forward as I seek to develop my own strategy and establish an efficient office.”
Professor Aynsley-Green was accompanied by the Interim Head of Policy for the English Commissioner’s office, Claire Phillips, who also met with members of Northern Ireland Commissioner’s senior management team and staff after touring the offices.
Notes to Editors:
- Professor Al Aynsley-Green is currently working part-time as English Children’s Commissioner before taking up the post full-time on 1st July 2005
- He is currently the National Clinical Director for Children at the Department of Health
- He is also the Nuffield Professor of Child Health at the Institute of Child Health, University College London and at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust
Further information on the work of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People can be found on www.niccy.org
Newly appointed English Children’s Commissioner, Al Aynsley-Green meets Nigel Williams, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People in NICCY’s Belfast offices to exchange ideas and hear first hand about the work of the Northern Ireland Commissioner.