Reporting on Children in Cities: The State of London's Children Reports

Abstract

Abstract:Regular reports on the state of children are an essential tool in promoting and ensuring children's rights. This paper draws on the example of the State of London's Children Reports (SOLCR) to illustrate the role and value of regular reporting in policy development for and with children.Evidence from the first SOLCR (2001) was used in the development of the London Mayor's Children and Young People's Strategy (CYPS) and the report's key policy messages—the need to promote equality and reduce poverty and social exclusion for London's children—guided the Strategy's values and goals. The second SOLCR (2004) identifies and comments on changes in London children's well-being from 2001–2004. The report also sets out an outcomes framework to measure progress towards the Mayor's CYPS goals.The paper describes the policy context and the development of the SOLCR reports; discusses the unique circumstances and characteristics of London's children; reflects on the challenges involved in monitoring children's well-being; highlights some key themes from the first SOLCR; and describes how these are being taken forward in the Mayor's Children and Young People's Strategy and in the second SOLCR.