• What is it & why is it important?
  
• What does it mean for diversion & alternatives?
  
  • Key issues
    
  • Tips for planning and implementation
    
• How does this link to the other elements of the Protective Environment Framework and the 3 principles?

What is it & why is it important?

Monitoring and oversight is dealt with in detail in the toolkit section on 'Data management, monitoring & evaluation'. Some 'key points' are included here below for reference, along with an overview of how this links to the three principles and other PEF elements, but readers are strongly encouraged to refer to the more comprehensive section mentioned above for further guidance.

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What does it mean for diversion & alternatives?

Key issues :

1. Is the government is enabled to monitor the use of diversion and alternatives (including measurement of relevant UNODC/UNICEF 15 Juvenile Justice Indicators) and maintain a quality, relevant and regularly updated information system?
2. What are the existing monitoring and evaluation systems in place and how can these be strengthened and/or adapted to accommodate diversion and alternatives?
3. Is there sufficient buy-in and ownership by key stakeholders of data management and monitoring and evaluation systems?
4. Are the systems relevant, efficient and effective (e.g. are forms easy to fill in, easily accessible and are the system / procedures for the flow of information clear – including issues of confidentiality versus transparency)?
5. Are monitoring and evaluation roles and responsibilities clearly defined and documented?
6. Is data compiled into useful formats which are updated regularly, analysed and used to inform ongoing programme management / improvement, and policy development?
7. Do stakeholders understand the importance of monitoring and evaluation and why particular aspects of their work are being checked?
8. Are unannounced monitoring visits to diversion and alternatives programmes possible?
9. Are there functioning complaints mechanisms in place where necessary?
10. Are evaluations undertaken to determine the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and impact of interventions?
11. How can children themselves input into the monitoring and evaluation of processes and services?

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• See also the toolkit section on 'Data management, monitoring & evaluation' for further guidance in relation to this topic.

• See also the toolkit section on 'overcoming common obstacles' for further tips in relation to this topic.

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How does this link to the other elements of the Protective Environment Framework and the 3 principles?

A. Child rights-based approach: Monitoring and oversight is needed to ensure that duty-bearers are fulfilling children's rights in relation to diversion and alternatives. The processes of data management, monitoring and evaluation should take into consideration the 'umbrella rights' of the CRC: the right to life, survival and development (Art. 6); non-discrimination (Art. 2); the best interests of the child (Art. 3); the right to be heard (Art. 12); and implementation to the 'maximum extent of available resources' (Art. 4).

B. Systemic approach: It is possible that relevant data management, monitoring and evaluation processes already exist or are being strengthened / reformed - e.g. through child protection programmes and/or rule of law and governance initiatives more broadly - which can be capitalised on for diversion and alternatives more specifically. See below for more detail on each of the 8 PEF elements.

C. Restorative justice approach: Where possible and appropriate, diversion and alternatives should include restorative justice approaches. However, these approaches require close monitoring and oversight to ensure that they are in line with child rights and that they comply with other necessary legal safeguards.

Other elements of the PEF:

#1. Government commitment to fulfilling protection rights: Government commitment is necessary for the development of sustainable data management, monitoring and evaluation processes. In turn, government commitment to diversion and alternatives itself needs to be monitored.

#2. Legislation & enforcement: Enforcement of legislation requires monitoring and evaluation, including the existence of independent complaints mechanisms where relevant.

#3. Attitudes, traditions, customs, behaviour & practices: Situational monitoring of the overall context in which diversion and alternatives are operating is important in order to ensure that 'technical' reform initiatives are not being delayed or undermined by counter-productive attitudes and practices. Awareness-raising, communication and advocacy efforts need to be monitored for relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability.

#4. Open discussion, including with civil society & the media: As above, situational monitoring of civil society and media support for diversion and alternatives is important. Likewise, 'open discussion' initiatives need to be monitored for relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability.

#5. Children's life skills, knowledge & participation: Diversion and alternatives programmes which aim to develop children's life skills, knowledge and participation need to be monitored for relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability. In turn, empowering children can help to encourage their active participation in the monitoring and evaluation of reform initiatives.

#6. Capacity of those in contact with children: Capacity building efforts need to be monitored for relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability. Capacity building may also be needed for personnel to carry out monitoring and oversight in the first place.

#7. Basic & targeted services: Services need to be monitored for relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability.

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