NHS England has announced Anne Longfield OBE as the new independent chair of the Learning Disability and Autism Children and Young People’s Steering Group.
Anne will champion the rights of children and young people with learning disabilities and autism, and will work in collaboration with the ministerial led ‘Building the Right Support Board’.
Claire Murdoch, National Director of Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism welcomed the appointment and commented: “Anne has shown remarkable commitment and dedication to improving the lives of children and young people and is ideally placed to continue this work, ensuring the needs of this vitally important group are highlighted and prioritised so their outcomes are improved.”
Previously, Anne worked as the Children’s Commissioner for England for more than 5 years and participated in the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit at the Cabinet Office.
Jane Ramsey held the role until December of last year, where she stepped down after 4 years in the post.
Anne Longfield OBE, added: “I am delighted to have been invited to chair the Learning Disability and Autism Children and Young People’s Steering Group and to work with the Building the Right Support Board.
“This is a time of change and my role will be to ensure that priorities for children and young people are understood and addressed.
“I hope that together we will make real progress and difference to the lives of children and young people with a learning disability and autism and their families.”
