Spotlight Interview- Rocio Cifuentes MBE, The Children’s Commissioner for Wales
We chat with Lewis Lloyd who works with The Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
Tell us about the role of the Children’s Commissioner?
In 2000, a major inquiry had found that children in north Wales care homes who had suffered terrible abuse had not been listened to when they’d raised concerns. The report said there needed to be an independent person in Wales who listened to children’s views and stood up for their rights.
The following year, a man called Peter Clarke became the first Children’s Commissioner for Wales (and the first children’s commissioner in the UK). Since then, the post has been held by Keith Tower, Prof Sally Holland, and Rocio Cifuentes MBE - the current Commissioner, each serving 7 years as the country’s children’s rights champion.
The Commissioner has a team of staff that help them promote and protect children’s rights across Wales.
Tell us about the projects and support that you offer to people in Wales?
The Commissioner helps young people in lots of different ways, including:
- an advice service that helps young people, parents/carers, and professionals who work with children if they feel a child has been treated unfairly
- by working with young people to make sure their views are heard as part of important policy work. Recently we’ve worked directly with care experienced young people to present their experiences of moving between placements, we’ve done research on racism in schools, housing conditions for children, and we run monthly surveys for young people on a variety of issues that have included school dinners and online safety. We use all the information we gather to call for positive changes for children’s lives.
- visiting schools, youth clubs, and organisations across Wales to tell children and adults about children’s rights.
What does 2026 look like for you?
Next year is an election year in Wales, so over the coming months the Commissioner will be publishing a set of asks that she wants political parties to focus on in their commitments to children. They include:
- more money for families living in poverty
- better outcomes for children with additional learning needs
- free transport for young people
And we’ll continue listening to children’s views on a wide range of issues that affect their lives, making sure these are heard by politicians and other decision-makers. To keep up with our work, sign up to receive our monthly newsletter - just enter your email address at the bottom of our website.
Is there anything you would like to share that would be of particular interest with our Single Parent Community?
Yes! Please take a look at our Advice service - it’s a free and independent service that’s there to help you if you have an issue affecting your child.
Also, why not learn more about children’s rights? We have a rights guide for parents, and a video animation all about rights - how they came about and why they matter.
Where can people find you online?
Here’s our main website
And here are our social media pages for:
and LinkedIn