Assessing impact of decisions on children and young people

Commissioner for Children and Young People Colin Pettit has called on WA organisations to utilise a new guide to incorporate child impact assessments in their planning.

“Decisions and policies that influence the lives of families and shape our communities – planning and infrastructure, access to services, employment opportunities and working arrangements all have an impact on our children,” Mr Pettit said.

“As children and young people represent almost one quarter of WA’s population, it is essential that their best interests are considered.”

Mr Pettit said the new Child Impact Assessment Guidelines outlined how individual organisations can evaluate the impacts of any proposed legislation, policy or strategy on the rights, interests and wellbeing of children and young people.

“The guidelines should be used in developing any proposed policies, strategies or services,” Mr Pettit said.

Placing the needs of children and young people at the centre of decision-making assists organisations to meet the obligations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as the implementation of National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

The development of a child impact assessment tool for WA was one of the recommendations in the Commissioner’s report on vulnerability, Improving the Odds.

The Child Impact Assessment Guidelines are available to download.