The Commissioner must review law, policy and practice relating to the rights of children and young people with a view to assessing their adequacy and effectiveness.

Scotland's first Commissioner, Kathleen Marshall, was appointed by Queen Elizabeth in April 2004, after a selection process which included her being interviewed by two groups of children and young people.

[4] In 2009, the Commissioner's office began to plan a national consultation of children and young people in Scotland called 'a RIGHT blether'.

As part of the consultation there was a national vote in which children and young people were able to influence the Commissioner's office's work plan for the next four years.

Children and young people were able to vote on what they thought the Commissioner should take action on in four key areas: Where I live, where I learn and develop, My neighbourhood or community and Scotland.