Examining Child Protection Rapid Assessment: A structured review of field learning from the Child Protection Rapid Assessment (CPRA) toolkit

From May-September 2013, the Child Protection in Crisis (CPC) Network conducted a structured analysis of field learning regarding the Child Protection Rapid Assessment (CPRA) toolkit, in order to identify key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations for its future use and implementation. The review covered use of the CPRA toolkit in 15 countries: Burkina Faso, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, and Yemen.

The CPRA toolkit was consistently described by respondents as a valuable addition to the field, and a means of increasing the methodological rigor with which child protection assessments are carried out. However, findings suggest that the usage of the tool is often dependent on technical assistance from the Child Protection Working Group (CPWG). Additional training and capacity building is needed in order to promote the sustainability of the toolkit and make it accessible in more diverse contexts.

Overall, respondents reported satisfaction with the toolkit, although its usage varied significantly by context. In 7 out of 15 assessments, additional approaches such as focus group discussions were included along with the components of the CPRA toolkit. This suggests that additional guidance is needed regarding the intended design of the CPRA toolkit, as well as the potential challenges and risks associated with incorporating other methods. In particular, respondents raised the issue of child participation in research as an issue for further consideration, in light of the current CPRA guidance that children not be involved in rapid assessment exercises. A confidential case discussed in this report highlights harm that came to children as a result of their participation in focus group discussions, reinforcing the importance of viewing the use of such methods in crisis contexts with extreme caution.