Sally Holland

Sally Holland became Children’s Commissioner for Wales in April 2015.

In her first year in post she undertook a large-scale consultation with children and young people throughout Wales, and used the findings to set her priorities for her first three-year plan. Her priorities include mental health and well-being, effective anti-bullying strategies, reducing inequalities and improving transitions to adulthood for those who have ongoing support and care needs.

She is campaigning for equal protection in the law for children from physical assault and hopes to see all public bodies in Wales adopt and implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Sally is a registered social worker with experience in the statutory and voluntary sectors. Prior to taking up the post of Children’s Commissioner, she was a Professor at the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University.

During her time at Cardiff University, she founded and became director of CASCADE Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre. Originally from Scotland, Sally has lived in Wales since 1992 and is a keen Welsh learner.

Established in 2001, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales is the independent human rights institution for children and young people in Wales. The organisation’s principal aim is to safeguard and promote the rights and welfare of children and young people.