Our Future Our Voice: Children’s Commissioner Opens Festival of Childhood

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has convened her second Festival of Childhood at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, bringing together children, young people and sector leaders. Accompanied by Youth Ambassadors, Dame Rachel delivered an opening keynote as part of the "Our Future Our Voice" programme, emphasising the central role of children’s perspectives in informing policy and practice. The festival serves as a platform for young people to share their experiences and priorities regarding education, social care, and their wider hopes for the future. For local authority cabinet members responsible for children’s services, the Commissioner’s messaging provides crucial insight into national priorities and the expectations of young people regarding how services should be designed and delivered. By amplifying youth voice through initiatives like this, the Office of the Children’s Commissioner continues to influence the national conversation on childhood, challenging policymakers and local leaders alike to ensure that children and young people are active participants in decisions that shape their futures.