This document provides a series of Core Indicator Sets that can be used to monitor child well-being in South Africa in the following areas: neighborhoods; child health; child and adolescent mental health; child injury, morbidity and mortality; education; early childhood development; childhood disability; specific difficulties of learning; street children; child labour, trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation; child abuse and neglect; children in statutory care; children in conflict with the law; and orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.
A rights-based model was used to develop the Core Indicator Sets, drawing on international and national legal provisions and policies, as well as evidence of what children need to survive, be healthy and protected; to develop their potential; to be economically secure; and to participate in society. Five distinct types of indicators (child status, family and household environment, neighborhood and surrounding environment, service access and service quality) are used and each Core Indicator Set contains a table that provides a suggested policy goal; the type of indicator and reason for its use; and a description of the indicator, which includes its definition, measure, and a source (or recommended source) for obtaining the data.
Information obtained using the Core Indicator Sets can be utilized by decision-makers to influence policy development, resource allocations and services for the improvement of child well-being. The use of the Core Indicator Set can also raise public awareness of children’s needs and assist in the evaluation of policies, services and programmes for children.
©Save the Children Sweden and Human Sciences Research Council
