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First ever children’s commissioner for England speaks at annual conference.

International authority on children's services and health, Sir Al Aynsley-Green, was the keynote speaker at the Social Futures Institute (Sofi) annual conference.

The one day conference, held on 23 September, took place at the University’s new £13m Darlington campus. Titled ‘Law, Policy and Practice for Children and Young People: The Role of Social Science Research,’ the conference critically examined the relationship between social science research and the design and implementation of law and policy concerning children and young people.

Sir Al was appointed Chair of the NHS Taskforce for Children and then the first National Clinical Director for Children in government in 2001. He later served as first children's commissioner for England from 2005 to 2010.

In these roles he played an integral role in influencing government policy and its translation into practice at the front line as well as raising public awareness of the circumstances and value of children and young people in society today. Sir Al was knighted for his services to children and young people in the Queen’s 80th Birthday Honours list in June 2006.

Conference organiser Dr Ray Arthur, Reader in Law in the University’s School of Social Sciences & Law, said: 'This conference brought together researchers and practitioners to build on their experiences and knowledge to contribute to current debates on the role of social science research within policy making and practice.'

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