When it comes to supporting families and children, there’s no silver bullet. But there is a clear formula. Every effective child policy—regardless of context or country—delivers on five essential elements. These elements empower families to make the best decisions for their children and ensure policies do more than just exist on paper. They must work in real life.
Here’s what every child-focused policy needs to include:
1. Rationale: why it matters. Parents and caregivers need to see the value of a policy before they’re likely to engage with it. Whether it’s sending a child to school or getting them vaccinated, the “why” has to be clear.
Rationale means showing families that participating in child-focused policies isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about improving the well-being of their children, themselves, and their wider communities. Without a clear rationale, even the most generous policy may go unused.
2. Information: how to engage. Good information is more than a leaflet or a website. It’s the glue that binds policy intent to family action.
Families need to know what’s available, how to access it, and how it benefits them. From enrolling children in school to accessing parental support programs, clear and timely information empowers families to make informed decisions—not just for today, but for their futures.
3. Resources: making participation possible. Awareness and good intentions are not enough if families lack the resources to follow through.
Resources can take many forms: school uniforms, transportation, nutritious meals, or simply cash support to offset service costs. In contexts where healthcare or education is provided privately, out-of-pocket expenses can be a barrier. Without resources, families—especially the most vulnerable—risk being excluded from essential services that policies aim to provide.
4. Agency: the power to decide. Agency is about more than having choices—it’s about having the ability to act on them.
Social norms, household dynamics, and gender roles can all influence whether families (particularly mothers) can engage with policies. For example, if boys’ education is prioritised over girls’, access alone won’t fix gender disparities. If financial control rests with one parent, decisions that affect child well-being may be out of reach for the other. True agency enables all caregivers to advocate and act in the best interest of their children.
5. Time: the invisible currency. Time is often the most overlooked—and most precious—ingredient in child policy design.
Whether it’s parental leave, flexible work arrangements, or time-saving supports like childcare, policies must acknowledge the caregiving demands on families. Too often, parents juggle full-time jobs with full-time care responsibilities, compromising both. Time is critical during a child’s early years, but it also affects daily routines, from helping with homework to attending health appointments. Even cash transfers can “buy” time by reducing the hours needed to earn a living, allowing more space for family life.
All or nothing: why each element matters
Delivering just one or two of these elements isn’t enough. Imagine a family with money but no time, or with information but no resources. They’ll still struggle to meet their children’s needs.
The most successful child policies address all five elements:
- rationale to engage
- information to navigate
- resources to participate
- agency to decide
- time to care
Whether these elements are provided through a single program or across a portfolio of policies, they must work together. If even one piece is missing, the system risks failing the families it aims to support.
A blueprint for better policies
As we design, evaluate, or reform child and family policies, these five elements should serve as a checklist. Are we giving families what they need to make good decisions? Are we removing the barriers that make policy access difficult or impossible?
Only when we deliver on all five fronts can we truly say a policy is effective – and that it is working for families, not just about them.
