CLC Presents Evidence to the Committee for Communities on the Children’s Services Co‑operation Act
12 March 2026
The Children’s Law Centre (CLC) has presented evidence to the NI Assembly Committee for Communities as part of its scrutiny of the implementation of the Children’s Services Co‑operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (CSCA).
During the session, CLC outlined the significant gap between the promise of the CSCA and the practical reality experienced by children and young people a decade after the legislation was enacted. While there has been some progress, including the adoption of a children and young people’s strategy and examples of effective joint working, CLC maintains that these developments are not yet embedded as a consistent, system‑wide approach to improving well‑being.
CLC’s Written Evidence Highlights Several Key Issues:
Lack of consistent, outcomes‑focused co‑operation
Reports on the operation of the Act show that cross‑departmental co‑operation is still often ad hoc, reactive and not clearly driven by the statutory duty set out in the CSCA.
Insufficient measurement of impact on children’s well‑being
Despite the intent of the Act, government has yet to demonstrate, through data, shared metrics or transparent reporting, how children’s well‑being has tangibly improved. The system remains stronger on describing activity than evidencing outcomes.
Barriers to pooling resources and aligning systems
Departments remain unclear or hesitant about the CSCA’s enabling powers and opportunities for deeper collaboration are being missed. Guidance exists, but it is under used in practice.
Need for meaningful engagement with children and young people
Comments from young people reinforce that children do not feel genuinely involved in shaping decisions that affect them. Participation remains inconsistent and often tokenistic.
What’s Next for the Children’s Services Co-operation Act?
The second decade of the CSCA must focus on implementation, measurement and accountability, with a renewed commitment to co‑operation rooted in children’s rights. This includes:
- Establishing shared indicators of well‑being
- Transparent data collection
- Stable long‑term planning
- Co‑designing improvements with children and families.
CLC will continue to work with decision makers, duty bearers and young people to ensure the Act reaches its full potential as a system wide driver for improving the lives of all children and young people in Northern Ireland.