Phase 2 Case Study: Developing Child-Centred Policy through Better Data

The National Children’s Strategy ‘Our Children – Their Lives’ (2000) recognised that there was limited practical data and research available about understanding children’s lives. The absence of comprehensive research-based information made forming effective policies difficult. The Strategy underlined that better data and research would support officials, operational managers, professionals and others providing services at all levels.

Ireland took a pioneering step by launching a nationwide study of children named ‘Growing Up in Ireland’ (GUI). This is a study which tracks the same group of individuals over an extended period, observing changes and developments as they unfold. This approach offers insights into:

• causal relationships, (how different factors affect each other)
• developmental trajectories (how children progress over time), and
• how variables evolve (how different factors change)

It captures nuances and trends that snapshot studies often miss. By repeatedly measuring the same participants, researchers gain a deeper understanding of how factors interact and influence outcomes throughout their lives.

The study is designed to give officials a valuable lens into children’s lives, tracing their growth, challenges, and well-being across critical stages. By identifying causal links and trends, these studies inform targeted interventions that address specific needs and vulnerabilities. The GUI study has bridged the data gap by producing over 80 reports since 2006. Supported by a strong dissemination strategy and a well-established annual research conference since 2009, the initiative has prioritised data collection and analysis.

Additionally, GUI files have been archived and shared with the broader research community.

The study provides data that offers evidence of policy effectiveness over time, helping refine strategies and allocate resources more effectively.

The policy impact of this data collection has been significant. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has used Growing Up in Ireland data extensively to inform public policy on a wide range of issues such as:

• GP use among children
• childcare and cognitive outcomes
• obesity and weight
• transitions to post-primary school
• take up of the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme
• parenting and infant development
• mothers’ return to work and childcare choices
• the effects of the recession and family stress on three-year-olds
• socio-emotional and behavioural outcomes in early adolescence, and
• economic vulnerability and socioemotional development

Commissioning data can play a pivotal role in bridging gaps in evidence where no substantial data exists, serving as a cornerstone in informed policy creation. In this instance, very little concrete data was available. Commissioning data provided a valuable avenue to gather targeted insights and information directly relevant to policy objectives. By engaging in purposeful data collection and analysis, officials gained access to real-world scenarios, trends and outcomes. This allowed them to make well-informed decisions based on reliable evidence.