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Undertaking of a Children’s Right Impact Assessment for the forthcoming Government Plan

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20.10.06

9 Deputy R.J. Ward of the Chief Minister regarding the undertaking of a Children's

Right Impact Assessment for the forthcoming Government Plan (OQ.257/2020)

What level of Child Rights Impact Assessments, if any, have been undertaken in respect of the forthcoming Government Plan?

Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré (The Chief Minister):

We have committed to bring forward a due regard law which will indirectly incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Jersey domestic legislation. While a Children's Rights Impact Assessment, or C.R.I.A., has not been undertaken in relation to the Government Plan our priorities to develop the legal framework would fully introduce a statutory C.R.I.A. during 2021. So to help us to prepare Ministers, non-Exec Members, government departments and public authorities for indirect incorporation we have commissioned a training needs analysis from the University of Wales Trinity St. David. This will be published shortly and will shape the provision of training resources ahead of legislation. We are also continuing to develop a Jersey C.R.I.A. process with support from the Children's Commissioner, and that is going to be piloted in the coming months. As the Deputy will have seen from written answers to questions today, there have been 2 C.R.I.A. initial assessments also trialled.

3.9.1 Deputy R.J. Ward :

I thank the Chief Minister for his answer and his support for our Child Rights Impact Assessments. I just ask him whether he feels that perhaps there was a missed opportunity with the Government Plan for the Chief Minister to lead the way for other Members in encouraging the use of these impact assessments and showing how positive they can be for the future of the Island.

Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré:

No, I do not think it was a missed opportunity. I make the point that this process is being introduced; that is why I think trialling things in small areas to make sure of what the impacts are, understanding them, is absolutely appropriate. I do make the point though that obviously in preparing the Government Plan we do have to take account of the sustainable well-being of the inhabitants of Jersey, the success of its generations, therefore we are already taking account of certain impacts of what we are proposing to bring to the Assembly.