Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment external guidance and templates

Stage 3 – Child Rights Impact Evaluation (completed after a period of implementation)

Stage 3 is the Child Rights Impact Evaluation (CRIE) and it allows for consideration of:

• if the anticipated impacts you assessed did materialise
• if there were any additional unintended/ unanticipated impacts

in relation to children’s rights after a period of implementation of the programme or project. There is no set amount of time to complete this in. As stated above, it is most appropriate after the programme or project has been implemented or when a change or addition to the programme or project has been implemented. Therefore, this could be 1, 3 or 5 years after the start date of the programme, project, or change.

Prior to undertaking Stage 3, we ask that the overall CRWIA and guidance is revisited as some time will have passed since completing stage 2.

If there is a situation that no stage 2 has been completed and the organisational decision is already in force, we would recommend completing a CRIE to evaluate what impacts materialised and understand the decision at it stands. Then going forward, complete a CRWIA on any changes to that decision for potential future impacts.

The CRIE template is split into questions and sign off which allows the person evaluating the decision to:

• provide a summary of the programme or project and review
• assess the (positive and negative) impacts that occurred in relation to the organisational decision
• analyse if this was what was anticipated in the stage 2 CRWIA and if there were any unintended impacts
• explain how negative impacts (if any) that materialised will be mitigated against
• analyse the sustainability of the organisational decision and the impacts on children and young people if it ended

Question 1 - Brief Summary

This section briefly describe the overall aims of the work, along with the reason for the evaluation. This could be due to a planned annual review, changes or additions etc.

In the case of significant changes or additions, please consider whether Stage 2 of the CRWIA requires updating. The update would only need to cover the change e.g. the decision to remove a particular project within the programme, or add a new strand etc.

If Stage 2 is updated, as a result of this evaluation, please add the changes to the original CRWIA and republish alongside this evaluation. While publishing is not a requirement we encourage it as good practise.

Question 2 - What evidence has been used to inform the evaluation? What does it say about the impact on children’s rights?

Similar to Stage 2 of the CRWIA process, Stage 3 aims to ensure reasoned and evidence based decision-making which takes into account the rights of children and young people.

In this question a combination of quantitative and qualitative data from a variety of sources should be used. Please gather and list relevant evidence used to inform the evaluation being made. This could include:

• feedback from infants, children and young people, stakeholder feedback, statistical data etc
• who was involved in the review e.g. infants, children and young people, colleagues, and stakeholders
• what did the review entail e.g. consultation, focus groups etc
• has consideration been given the validity of the evidence used? E.g. has up-to-date, relevant evidence been gathered from a reliable source?
• are there any gaps in the evidence e.g. were there any groups impacted that data was not able to be gathered from?

In answering the second part of this question, colleagues should provide a high level statement on the overall impact this work has had on children’s rights. Later questions will go into this in more detail.

Question 3: Reflecting on the evidence gathered/feedback received, to what extent did the intended impacts on children’s rights match the outcome?

When undertaking Stage 2 of the CRWIA, an initial assessment was made on the potential impact that the decision may have on children’s rights. Reflecting on this and the evidence gathered after implementation, did the piece of work resulting from that decision achieve what it set out to do? Consider the following points in the response:

• did it impact upon the intended group/s?
• did it impact any additional rights?
• were any rights not impacted that were anticipated be in the CRWIA?
• any additional groups beyond the intended audience benefit?
• please detail in particular any positive or negative impacts
• please summarise any evidence on positive and negative impacts on children’s rights
• dhow each impact affects different population groups differently
• please describe any unintended/unexpected impacts on children’s rights

Question 4: Where a positive impact was evidenced, please reflect on and explain how this contributes to protecting, respecting and fulfilling children’s rights in Scotland.

As described in Stage 2 question 9 of the CRWIA, a positive impact can take several different forms:

• the decision has given further realisation and enjoyment of children’s rights
• the decision further respects, protects or fulfils the rights of children in Scotland
• the decision has helped to give better or further effect to the rights of children, i.e. going above and beyond the content of the UNCRC articles

In this question please ensure it is highlighted where the positive impact was anticipated from the assessment in stage 2 or unexpectedly arose after implementation.

Questions 5, 6 and 7 asks the person completing the evaluation to then consider the negative impacts the piece of work has had on children’s rights. It should be highlighted where the negative impact was anticipated and mitigated against from the assessment in stage 2 or unexpectedly arose after implementation. Please note if mitigation measures against potential negative impacts were successful.

Question 5: Where a negative impact was evidenced, how did this affect different groups of children?

As highlighted in Stage 2 a negative impact can take several different forms such as:

• the work may impede or actually reverse the enjoyment of existing rights, requiring mitigating measures be put in place
• the work may have a detrimental impact on children, so should be withdrawn and alternatives presented

Please explain what negative impact has been identified in relation to any groups of children, and how this negative impact manifested. Consideration should also be given as to whether there were any groups negatively impacted upon that were not identified in the initial assessment.

Question 6: What aspects of the piece of work lead to negative impacts?

Where possible please identify which element(s) led to the negative impacts occurring.

Question 7: Going forward, how will any negative impacts be mitigated against?

Consideration should be given as to whether the existing negative impact resulting from this piece of work is still necessary and proportionate.

Highlight what options have been considered to modify the work in order to mitigate negative impact. For new and existing negative impacts please include an updated mitigation table (Stage 2 Question 8).

Question 8: How will the positive impacts evidenced on children’s rights be protected? Are the positive impacts likely to be sustainable?

The following can be considered in the response:

• does the work have a fixed period of implementation?
• if the activity were to end, would the positive impact on children and young people be impacted?

Please get appropriate level sign off within your organisation, corporation or workplace and assess when/ if there will be another review.

A copy of the CRIE and any amendments to the Stage 2 CRWIA should be published on your website.