Child Impact Assessment in decisions concerning children and youth

Conducting a child impact assessment for decisions concerning children and youth is an important step in strengthening the child rights perspective within the association.

Simplified Child Impact Assessment

This template is designed to help associations make safe and well-informed decisions based on the best interests of the child – in a simple and practical way.

Quick version – download PDF

Ensure that you can answer YES to the following:

  • Do we know which children and youth are affected by the decision?
  • Have positive and negative consequences been identified?
  • Do we know which risks need to be minimized?
  • Are there measures that are reasonable to implement?
  • Has the best interest of children and youth been considered in the decision?
  • Is there a plan for follow-up?

In-depth – step by step

1. The decision

  • What is to be decided?
  • Why is the decision being made?
  • When will it be implemented?
  • Who makes the decision?

2. Which children and youth are affected?

  • Which age groups are affected?
  • Approximately how many are affected?
  • Are certain groups affected more than others?
    (e.g., beginners, children with disabilities, children with limited financial means)

3. Consequences of the decision

  • Possible positive effects
  • Possible negative effects or risks

4. Assessment

  • Which effects are most important?
  • Which risks need to be managed?

5. Measures

  • Measures to reduce risks
  • Measures to strengthen positive effects
  • Are the measures reasonable based on the association’s resources?
  • How has the best interest of the children been taken into account?

6. Follow-up (afterwards)

  • What was the result?
  • How did the children and youth experience the change?
  • Does anything need to be adjusted?

For a more in-depth child impact assessment: