The Commissioner for Children and Young People has released a new guide to assist organisations around the State to incorporate child impact assessments into their planning
The Commissioner, Colin Pettit said decisions and policies that influenced the lives of families and shaped communities, such as planning and infrastructure, access to services, employment opportunities and working arrangements, all had an impact on children.
“As children and young people represent almost one quarter of Western Australia’s population, it is essential that their best interests are considered,” Mr Pettit said.
“The Child Impact Assessment Guidelines outline 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.”
He said the Guidelines should be used in developing any proposed policies, strategies or services.
“Placing the needs of children and young people at the centre of decision-making will assist organisations to meet their obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as the implementation of National Principles for Child Safe Organisations,” Mr Pettit said.
“The development of a child impact assessment tool for Western Australian organisations was one of the recommendations in my report on vulnerability — Improving the Odds.”
The Commissioner’s 12-page Guidelines can be accessed at this PS News link.
