Mapping of Child Protection M&E Tools

"The availability of effective measurement tools is a clear prerequisite for the strengthening of monitoring and evaluation within the field of child protection."

This report provides a structured review of a sample of 124 child protection monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools, part of work on identifying ethical standards and tools for working on research with children, particularly issues of violence against children (VAC). Its appendices include tools and sources.

"Tools were selected for review with respect to explicit inclusion criteria regarding relevance to certain focal areas of child protection, structured means of data collection, and documented use in monitoring and evaluation activity. With the timescale and resources available, search methodology combined structured computer search of three major bibliographic databases with elicitation of materials through professional networks.... Given the use of explicit inclusion criteria ... the body of evidence compiled provides a rigorous basis for comparative review and analysis....It needs, however, to be understood as a sample of the wider universe of material that could be compiled with a more extensive and prolonged data search strategy." From the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Data Collection on Violence against Children/Child Protection Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Group (CP MERG), the report is assembled on behalf of the Columbia Group for Children in Adversity (CGCA), Columbia University, and the Child Protection In Crisis (CPC) Learning Network for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

"In a concluding critical analysis a number of observations are made based upon the sample of tools identified. There is, for example, significant opportunity for making better use of case management systems in developing robust monitoring and evaluation strategies for work within the child protection sector. It is recommended that technical guidance be prepared and disseminated regarding the collation and analysis of aggregated data available through child protection case management systems. Such guidance should be incorporated into systems documentation, encouraging routine use of data from such sources to inform service development and evaluation."

Table of Contents

• Executive Summary
• I. Introduction
• II. Overview of Methods
• Selection Criteria
• A. Computer Search
• B. Professional Networks
• Collation and Analysis of Material
• Constraints and Limitations
• III. Thematic Review
• IV. Critical Analysis
• V. Summary of Recommendations
• VI. Annexes (available as separate PDFs through the link below)
• Annex 1: Matrix of Tools Selected for Review
• Annex 2: Keyword Searches for Structured Computer Search
• Annex 3: List of Sources (Professional Networks)
• Annex 4: List of Tools Submitted for Review not Meeting Inclusion Criteria