Children's prosperity handbook - implementation of the law
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In addition to this electronic version a PDF file in Icelandic is available.
Implementing the children's prosperity law
The implementation cycle of the Children's Prosperity Act contains seven steps; it is expected that it will take varying amounts of time for municipalities and institutions to complete the cycle. After its completion, it is important to form new goals to help maintain the success of all activities with children and their families.
The steps of the introductory round are: (see image with Icelandic text)
Starting and preparation
Evaluating the situation
Education
Action plan
Implementation
Final evaluation, feedback and procedures
New objectives and continuation
In light of the fact that most municipalities and institutions are already in the process of implementing the law, it was decided to connect the checklists for implementation status with the implementation cycle of the law. Municipalities and institutions can use the checklists to evaluate where they are in the implementation process; i.e. what has been done and what is missing, and then to draw up an action plan based on that.
The checklists on the status of implementation can be accessed both in pdf and electronic format in the following chapters. By filling out the electronic form, the municipality/agency agrees to share responses on the status of implementation with the children's prosperity department of the National Agency for Children and Families. This contributes to a greater overview of implementation status, and enables the National Agency for Children and Families to provide better assistance. For municipalities/agencies the electronic version is recommended.
The Children's Prosperity law entails changes in various areas concerning services for children and their families. It involves changes in both procedures and viewpoints in children's affairs, which can vary between municipalities and institutions.
The seven steps are detailed below, along with checklists, instructions and detailed material to support the implementation process.
It is important that education about the children's prosperity law be an integral part of its implementation by municipalities and institutions. Education is the foundation for successful implementation, and it is important that it be effective and coordinated.
It is recommended that education about the law focus first on those who are responsible for providing services to children and their parents. Knowledge of the children's prosperity law and the responsibility it places on service providers is a prerequisite for parents and children to receive the right assistance, at the right time from the right parties. When necessary changes have been made at a municipality or institution in order to implement the children's prosperity law in all its administrative systems and service institutions, it is time to introduce the law to children and parents.
Education about the children's prosperity law should be extended to all employees of municipalities and institutions involved in services to children. Creating an overview of the staff involved is good preparation, and it is important to look at the group in a broad context, from those who provide services to children directly to those who have the power to decide on the budget for services to children.
It is useful to create an educational programme about the law with different emphases and priorities based on the groups it is aimed at. General education for large groups in different parties involved in services for children can be useful in the early stages of implementation. More specialized education for smaller groups is also necessary, and provides opportunities for reflection, and dialogue on what may be unclear.
Taking into account the participation of children and young people is important when organizing educational activities for them, as to their form, content and structure. The toolkit on UNICEF participation for children in the links below can be useful.
The person for responsible for implementing the children's prosperity laws for a municipality or institution, in cooperation with its managers, is also responsible for providing the necessary education to its service providers. The supporting material below from the National Agency for Children and Families can be used for that purpose, or as a foundation to build on. Also, children's prosperity staff at the National Agency for Children and Families can assist in the planning of the education and materials if requested.