Tam Baillie nominated as commissioner for children and young people

Tam Baillie, who is currently director of policy and influencing with Barnardo’s Scotland, has been nominated to become the second Commissioner for Children and Young people in Scotland. 

The Scottish Parliament will be asked to approve the nomination of Tam Baillie as the new Commissioner, with a view to him taking up his new role around mid May.

Mr Baillie has worked as a manager and practitioner with children and young people for 30 years.  Working primarily with young offenders; young people in and leaving care; and young homeless people.  Mr Baillie has worked in Scotland and England and in both the statutory and voluntary sectors.  He has extensive experience of Scottish Government and Scottish Parliamentary processes, making recent key contributions in the fields of child poverty and early years developments.

Tam Baillie is currently the Chair of the Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights, a position he will relinquish on taking office.

Tam has led Barnardo’s Scotland’s policy and influencing for the past six years, through his work he has helped support the charities services for over 10,000 children and families per year across Scotland.

Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland said: “I am delighted that Tam is being recommended as the next Children’s Commissioner for Scotland.  He has been a great asset for Barnardo’s Scotland over the last six years and we will miss him enormously.  Tam has always been a passionate advocate for children and young people both in his role with us and as Chair of the Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights.  I am sure he will be an excellent appointment.”

The general function of the Commissioner is to promote and safeguard the rights of children and young people and to:
•    generate widespread awareness and understanding of the rights of children and young people
•    consider and review the adequacy and effectiveness of any law, policy and practice as it relates to the rights of children and young people
•    promote best practice by service providers
•    commission and undertake research on matters relating to the rights of children and young people.

Mr Baillie’s nomination follows the announcement in September 2008 that the current Commissioner Kathleen Marshall would not seek reappointment when her term comes to an end in April.