Cash-First: Towards ending the need for food banks in Scotland Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA)

Analysis of the evidence

Part 4 - How have the findings outlined in questions 1-3 influenced the development of the relevant proposal?

The evidence above has informed the development of the approach and actions within the Plan, in particular the Cash-First Programme which is built on learning from the first two years of the pandemic response.

Part 5 - Assessing for compatibility against the UNCRC requirements

What impact does/will your relevant proposal have on children’s rights (Please tick positive, negative or neutral)

• Positive
  • Article 3 Best interests of the child
  • Article 12 Respect for the views of the child
  • Article 18 Parental responsibilities and state assistance
  • Article 24 Health and health services
  • Article 26 Social security
  • Article 27 Adequate standard of living
• Negative – not applicable
• Neutral
  • Article 1 Definition of the child
  • Article 2 Non-discrimination
  • Article 4 Implementation of the Convention
  • Article 5 Parental guidance and a child’s evolving capacities
  • Article 6 Life, survival and development
  • Article 7 Birth registration, name, nationality, care
  • Article 8 Protection and preservation of identity
  • Article 9 Separation from parents
  • Article 10 Family reunification
  • Article 11 Abduction and non-return of children
  • Article 13 Freedom of expression
  • Article 14 Freedom of thought, belief and religion
  • Article 15 Freedom of association
  • Article 16 Right to privacy
  • Article 17 Access to information from the media
  • Article 19 Protection from violence, abuse and neglect
  • Article 20 Children unable to live with their family
  • Article 21 Adoption
  • Article 22 Refugee children
  • Article 23 Children with a disability
  • Article 25 Review of treatment in care
  • Article 28 Right to education
  • Article 29 Goals of education
  • Article 30 Children from minority or indigenous groups
  • Article 31 Leisure, play and culture
  • Article 32 Child labour
  • Article 33 Drug abuse
  • Article 34 Sexual exploitation
  • Article 35 Abduction, sale and trafficking
  • Article 36 Other forms of exploitation
  • Article 37 Inhumane treatment and detention
  • Article 38 War and armed conflicts
  • Article 39 Recovery from trauma and reintegration
  • Article 40 Juvenile justice
  • Article 41 Respect for higher national standards
  • Article 42 Knowledge of rights

First optional protocol

• Positive – not applicable

• Negative – not applicable

• Neutral –
  • Article 4
  • Article 5
  • Article 6
  • Article 7

Second optional protocol

• Positive – not applicable
• Negative – not applicable
• Neutral –
  • Article 1
  • Article 2
  • Article 3
  • Article 4
  • Article 6
  • Article 7
  • Article 8
  • Article 9
  • Article 10
  • Article 11

Part 6 – Impact on children and young people

People of all ages will benefit from the actions contained in the Plan, but as younger people and households with children tend to have a higher prevalence of food insecurity they are more likely to benefit from these actions.^[52]

Article 3 : Best interests of the child

• Evidence from child health experts highlights a clear link between poverty and poorer child health and wellbeing outcomes. By improving the response to financial hardship, the Plan is likely to have a positive impact on fulfilling the best interests of children and young people.

Article 12: Respect for the views of a child

• The Plan process has considered the views of children, young people and those that advocate for their rights, and we will continue to engage with these stakeholders throughout the delivery of the Plan.

Article 18: Parental responsibilities and state assistance

• The Plan sets out collaborative action, including through state assistance, to improve the response to financial crisis and enable households to access food and other essentials that meet their needs and preferences.

Article 24: Right to health and health services

• Access to cash in a crisis provides households with greater choice around food and other essentials, enabling people to better meet their dietary, social and cultural needs and preferences.

Article 26: Right to social security

• The Plan will help to improve the response to crisis and includes specific action to embed access to welfare advice as part of a holistic support service offering to strengthen income and help prevent future hardship.

Article 27 (1-3) : Right to adequate standard of living

• Improving the response to crisis so that people are able to access food and other essentials with dignity and choice, regardless of their income, will help to progress children and young people’s right to an adequate standard of living.

Part 7 - Negative Impact/Incompatibility

No negative impact has been identified.

Part 8 - Options for modification or mitigation of negative impact or incompatibility

No negative impact has been identified. Regular monitoring of the Plan delivery will be undertaken to enable any mitigating action to be taken promptly.

• Issue or risk identified per article/ optional protocol – While the Plan and associated actions may improve the response to financial crisis, wider pressure on household budgets could still increase the overall prevalence of household food insecurity – including in households with children.
• Action taken/to be taken – The Scottish Government will monitor the impact of the nine actions in the Plan, including by commissioning an independent evaluation of the Cash-First Programme.
• Date action to be taken or was taken – Ongoing

Part 9 - Positive impact: Giving better or further effect to children’s rights in Scotland

Improving the response to crisis is likely to have a positive impact on the rights of children and young people in Scotland.

Part 10 - Impact on Wellbeing: does or will the relevant proposal contribute to the wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland?

Please tick all of the wellbeing indicators that are relevant to your proposal.

10.1 Wellbeing Indicator

Safe - Growing up in an environment where a child or young person feels secure, nurtured, listened to and enabled to develop to their full potential. This includes freedom from abuse or neglect. Will there be an improvement in wellbeing in relation to this indicator: No

Healthy - Having the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health, access to suitable healthcare, and support in learning to make healthy and safe choices. Will there be an improvement in wellbeing in relation to this indicator: Yes

Achieving - Being supported and guided in learning and in the development of skills, confidence and self-esteem, at home, in school and in the community. Will there be an improvement in wellbeing in relation to this indicator: Yes

Nurtured - Growing, developing and being cared for in an environment which provides the physical and emotional security, compassion and warmth necessary for healthy growth and to develop resilience and a positive identity. Will there be an improvement in wellbeing in relation to this indicator: No

Active - Having opportunities to take part in activities such as play, recreation and sport, which contribute to healthy growth and development, at home, in school and in the community. Will there be an improvement in wellbeing in relation to this indicator: Yes

Respected - Being involved in and having their voices heard in decisions that affect their life, with support where appropriate. Will there be an improvement in wellbeing in relation to this indicator: Yes

Responsible - Having opportunities and encouragement to play active and responsible roles at home, in school and in the community, and where necessary, having appropriate guidance and supervision. Will there be an improvement in wellbeing in relation to this indicator: No

Included - Having help to overcome inequalities and being accepted as part of their family, school and community. Will there be an improvement in wellbeing in relation to this indicator: Yes