First commissioner in Northern Ireland

Children’s charities and social care professionals have welcomed
the appointment of Northern Ireland’s first commissioner for
children, Nigel Williams.

Williams is currently chief executive of Childnet International,
which specialises in protecting children from internet paedophiles.
He is also a member of the government’s task force tackling
internet pornography.

Teresa Devlin, acting director of NSPCC Northern Ireland, said:
“The children’s commissioner will play a crucial role in a range of
ways in the lives of children in Northern Ireland. We hope he will
assist government in promoting a much more inclusive and
rights-based approach ensuring that all children have someone to
turn to.”

The commissioner’s office will be set up over the next nine months
and Williams will begin his four-year term on 1 October.