Secretary Of State for Northern Ireland
Erskine House in Belfast City Centre and 1 Horse Guards Road in London.

Subject: Urgent Concerns Regarding NICCY’s Accountability and Effectiveness

Dear Secretary of State Benn,

I am writing to raise serious concerns regarding the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) and its ability to fulfil its statutory role in safeguarding children’s rights. My recent interactions with NICCY have revealed a troubling lack of transparency, accountability, and procedural competence that I believe renders the organisation not fit for purpose.

Despite lodging a formal complaint regarding the welfare of my daughter, who is under the care of Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care Trust, NICCY has consistently refused to engage with the substantive issues, citing its remit as a barrier. Furthermore, NICCY has failed to provide me with a reference number for my complaint or details on how to escalate the matter to their regulatory body. This inability to provide basic procedural oversight is in stark contrast to how the Northern Ireland Ombudsman operates, where such matters are handled with clarity and transparency. NICCY’s performance, in comparison, has been severely lacking.

In addition, I recently contacted the Northern Ireland Ombudsman for Children but was unable to obtain a reference number or any meaningful guidance on how to address my concerns further. This lack of response and procedural inadequacy from both NICCY and the Ombudsman has led me to conclude that these bodies are not functioning as they should, and are not fit for purpose in protecting children’s rights.

Given NICCY’s mandate under the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, I expected an organisation that would provide proper oversight and accountability in matters concerning public authorities’ duties to safeguard children. Instead, NICCY’s inaction and procedural shortcomings have caused significant distress and frustration, leaving the serious concerns regarding my daughter’s welfare unresolved.

This situation mirrors similar concerns raised in the Irish Times regarding Tusla’s failings, further demonstrating the need for immediate reform. NICCY’s and the Ombudsman’s inability to act with the diligence and competence expected of such bodies has severely undermined confidence in their roles as safeguards for children’s rights.

I urge your office to investigate this matter and ensure that NICCY and the Ombudsman are held accountable for their statutory obligations. The welfare of vulnerable children is at stake, and it is essential that these bodies operate with the transparency and effectiveness required to protect children’s rights.

I look forward to your response and to learning what steps will be taken to address these critical issues.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Martin Newbold

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