More Rosebud - Dame Rachel De Souza, the Children's Commissioner
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
I'm Giles Brandreth and this is More Rosebud. Cue the music.
Music
Welcome to More Rosebud. I'm Giles Brandreth. And because it's Tuesday and it's More Rosebud, it's me chatting with my friend and producer, Harriet Jane. How are you today, Harriet?
I'm well, thanks, Giles.
You're in good form.
Yes.
Our show is very much about childhood. We've discovered over the last three years, recording Rosebud, that a childhood lasts a lifetime. Good childhood, bad childhood, whatever it is, it's still in people's heads. It's very, very vivid. Your childhood is still very much in your head.
How did Dame Rachel De Souza become the Children's Commissioner?
Hmm.
My childhood is very much in mine. And that's why we've got as a special guest today somebody who has thought a great deal about childhood and childhood in our time. Her name is Rachel D'Souza. Did I tell you how I first came across her?
I don't know, maybe.
I am a supporter of, maybe even a patron of, something called the Longford Trust. The late Frank Longford, Earl of Longford, Knight of the Garter, once a member of Clement Attlee's government, I think later a member of Harold Wilson's government, a Labour peer. And a very interesting person, a social reformer, a prison reformer. And I got to know him when I was very young, indeed, and admired him and liked him. And he was a kind of sort of father figure in a way to me. He took an interest in me, which was jolly good of him. In fact, one of my first books was published by a publishing company of which he was the chairman. Anyway, he died and his family started something called the Longford Trust, which was particularly concerned with people who've been in prison, rehabilitation for them and education for them.
And it's a wonderful charity and I love supporting it.
What insights were gained from the 'The Big Future' survey?
And if you want to know more about it, just look it up, Longford Trust, and find out what they're doing and support them. Well, they give an annual lecture and have had some fascinating people. And I went to the annual lecture this year because I'm one of their patrons or supporters. And Rachel D'Souza, the Children's Commissioner was giving the talk. And I was both impressed by her and what she had to say about where we are with children in 2026, particularly children from challenging backgrounds and children who are living in conditions where they might get into trouble, children who have already got into trouble, how that happens and how it can be prevented. But also by her own story. And I thought, this is intriguing stuff.
I would love to be a Rosebud guest. Anyway, she is now the Children's Commissioner for England. And I think I'm right in saying the Children's Commissioner's Office have just published a report.
Yes, they have. It's called The Big Future. I think they've interviewed thousands of children about their views on childhood today and what their worries are and their concerns and their hopes and dreams.
So they've listened to the children's voice.
What challenges do children face today according to the Commissioner?
So it's a portrait of where children are, what they want, what they aspire to. written by somebody who has been for five years England's Children's Commissioner, a very interesting person with a very interesting story herself. A childhood lasts a lifetime. So this is Rachel D'Souza on More Rosebud. Cue the music.
Well, I'm very excited. Our guest is Dame Rachel D'Souza, and she is the Children's Commissioner. What does that mean? Who employs you? Who are you working for?
Oh, so the Children's Commissioner is a really interesting post. It came in 20 years ago after the death of a little girl, Victoria Climbier. Some of you may remember it. She was killed by those who should have cared for her the most, but every professional missed it. So government at the time decided to create a Children's Commissioner's post to make sure that sort of thing never happened again and that children's voices were heard and that the public service, parliament...
How does childhood experience impact adult life?
from Prime Minister right the way through, listen to the voices of children. So it's a six-year public role. My job is to protect and promote the rights of children, to take their voices to Parliament, to make sure no law is made about them without hearing from them and thinking about them.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:58
2
How did Dame Rachel De Souza become the Children's Commissioner?
0:58–2:11
3
What insights were gained from the 'The Big Future' survey?
2:11–3:23
4
What challenges do children face today according to the Commissioner?
3:23–4:35
5
How does childhood experience impact adult life?
4:35–5:30
6
What role does education play in a child's development?
5:30–6:23
7
How can communities support children better?
6:23–7:32
8
What lessons has Dame Rachel learned from her experiences?
7:32–54:02