The children’s measurement framework: a new indicator-based tool for monitoring children’s equality and human rights

The Children's Measurement Framework (CMF) is a new indicator-based tool for monitoring children's equality and human rights in Britain. The article provides a conceptual and methodological overview of the CMF and presents initial findings against a subset of indicators. We begin by locating the CMF within the growing body of research that uses statistical indicators to monitor child well-being; and by considering the Framework's conceptual and methodological positioning in the light of the broader themes discussed in the broader literature on child indicators. The theoretical underpinnings of the CMF in Sen's capability approach are next explored. The CMF indicator set, comprising 50 statistical indicators for monitoring children's equality and human rights across 10 critical domains, is described. Finally, illustrations of CMF indicators are provided for the life, health, education and physical security domains drawing on a range of administrative and social survey data sources