Children's prosperity handbook - implementation of the law
Service provider:
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.
The action plan for implementing the measure should clearly outline the objectives of the municipality or institution in implementing the measure. The person responsible for implementing the measure and the steering group oversee the preparation of the action plan, and select actions based on the results of their assessment. It is important that the actions set out in the plan be clear and well defined, that they be accompanied by timeframes, and that a supervisor be appointed for each action.
The role of the action coordinator is not to implement the action on his or her own, but rather to be the spokesperson for the action and supervise it. The person designated as the action coordinator must be informed about that role, and the expectations concerning it. It might also be appropriate to set up task force groups to work specifically on certain actions of the programme, in cooperation with the action coordinators.
Actions in the children's prosperity implementation plan may include, for example, increased cooperation between different services for children, definition of different service levels, the creation of a municipal or institutional resource list, the appointment of children's prosperity contact persons and case managers, and definition of the procedures relating to their roles and tasks. The action plan should also include an educational programme involving service providers, and education for children and parents regarding service integration.
Some actions are more extensive and time-consuming than others, in those cases it is important to define its objectives well, and break it down into smaller manageable elements that all aim to achieve the ultimate goal.
When a draft action plan is ready, the municipality/institution is welcome to send it to the children's prosperity department at the National Agency for Children and Families (farsaeld@bofs.is) which can then provide feedback and assistance on individual aspects.
It is recommended that the action plan be submitted to the municipality and/or the local councils, or the supervisory boards of institutions, and formally approved. This is an important part of the taking control of the implementation. The action plan should alse be presented to the residents of the municipality and to service recipients of institutions, for instance on their websites.