Guidance for professionals: the best decision for the child
Are you a professional responsible for making decisions that influence children’s lives? The decisions you make can often be complex because there are numerous other interests at play alongside the child’s interests. They include the parents’ interests or those of the organisation where you work.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child states that a thorough and child-friendly investigation of the facts is required in order to reach an evidence-based decision. This also involves a careful assessment of what is best for the child and any other interests that may be at play. In this, you should always take account of what the child believes to be important and treat children equally. As a professional, you examine the child’s interests based on your expertise. You then reach a decision based on your research and careful assessment. In four steps, you reach a carefully-considered decision that puts the child’s interest first.
More details on each step can be found in the leaflet.
Step 1: The interests of the child
More information
Examine what’s best for the child’s development and involve the child in this.
Step 2: Other interests
More information
Identify which other interests may be at play.
Step 3: Assessing the interests
More information
Make an assessment of what’s best for the child’s development in the context of the other factors at play. In this, put the child’s interests first.
Step 4: Explaining the decision
More information
Discuss the decision with the child and explain to them what their options are if they disagree with it.
Leaflet for children and checklist
A leaflet with questionnaire and checklist is also available for children and young people. The leaflet 'The best decision for you' helps a child to prepare for the meeting that will ultimately lead to the decision. The questionnaire is based on the seven elements for development explained in the leaflet for professionals.
The checklist 'The best decision for you, a quick check' consists of questions that enable children and young people to check if what is important to them is being taken into account in reaching a decision. The checklist can also be used by professionals.
Do you have doubts or need some help?
Call 0800 - 876 54 32 free of charge between 12:00 and 17:00 or send an email to ombudswerk@kinderombudsman.nl.