Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sue Mountstevens and her team have been awarded a Gold Commendation by Anne Longfield OBE, the Children’s Commissioner for England.
The certificate is in recognition of the team’s plans to engage children and young people in the work of the Avon and Somerset Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner as part of Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Challenge 2015-16.
Speaking about Children’s Commissioner Takeover Day which took place on 20th November 2015, PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “My team and I were delighted to welcome seven young people from Clevedon and Gordano schools to find out more about my role as PCC and the work of my team.
“Throughout the day, they got involved in activities which included meeting with Amy, my Youth Champion, taking part in a practical session with Young Victims’ Service and finding out more about Restorative Justice with Helen, our RJ Development Manager.
“It is important to me that I make sure I am speaking and listening to young people from across Avon and Somerset about the issues which matter to them in relation to policing and crime.”
The application for the Up for the Challenge Commendation Scheme highlighted the work of the Office of the PCC as part of this year’s Takeover Day, but also included other events and wider work in relation to youth engagement.
There are bronze, silver and gold levels of commendation which reflect the involvement with children and young people through the Takeover challenge so being awarded gold, the highest level of commendation, is a great achievement.
Amy Hurst, Youth Champion for the Office of the PCC said: “It’s fantastic to be recognised by the Up for the Challenge scheme.
“We’ve hosted Takeover events for the past three years now within the OPCC and each time, as a team, we’re always left feeling inspired by the young people we’ve had the pleasure of working with.
“The important thing for me however, is the fact that this commendation acknowledges our wider work with young people as we try to ensure their voices are heard.
“The principles behind the Takeover events are something which we’re always looking to build upon to help shape our ways of working with children and young people.”
To find out more about the Up for the Challenge commendation scheme visit: www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/takeover-challenge-commendation.
The Avon and Somerset Office of the PCC has participated in the Children’s Commissioner Takeover Day for the past three years.
