Online consultation of key stakeholders

• Author: Guio, A-C.; Marlier, E.; Frazer, H.
• Pages: 74-76

Feasibility Study for a Child Guarantee (FSCG) Final Report

74

4. Online consultation of key stakeholders118

4.1 Methodology

The FSCG organised an online consultation of key stakeholders to gather their views on

the feasibility, efficiency, and overall benefits of a CG scheme.

The consultation lasted six weeks (from 14 January 2019 to 22 February 20 19) and the

link to the online questionnaire was sent to more than 1,150 selected people. These

consisted of managers in civil society organisations wor king with children or concerned

with child well-being, officials in public authorities at national and sub-national levels,

researchers, and academics. The link was, in some cases, forwarded by the contact person

to associated organisations. In all, 301 valid replies were received.

The questionnaire began with questions to identify the profile of respondents in order to

put the replies into context. It then set out a series of multiple-choice questions, and where

relevant the respondents were invited to clarify their replies and to add any further

comment they wished to make in a limited number of words. The questionnaire ended with

an open question, asking respondents to describe the kind of instrument that they think

should be put in place at EU level.

Once the consultation was closed, the validity of the information provided was checked by

identifying and coding mi ssing replies, removing duplicates, checking for possible

inconsistencies in the answers given to different questions, and trying to detect any

‘campaigns’ by identifying identical replies to the open questions. Following this, the replies

to the multiple-choice questions were analysed and the replies to the open questions were

divided according to the main themes and issues covered.

The responses to the questionnaire came mainly from people expressing views on behalf

of organisations an d, in particular, of NGOs and national public authorities. When

interpreting the replies, it is important to keep in mind geographical imbalances, i n the

sense that those responding were not evenly distributed across the EU.

4.2 Main findings

4.2.1 Need for an increased focus on child poverty and social exclusion

A large maj ority of respondents indicated that their country should combat child poverty

and social exclusion better, and that the EU should help in this by doing more than i t has

up to now. This was particularly true for Member States where the level of child deprivation

is relatively high. The greater involvement of the EU was supported in particular by

respondents from NGOs.

4.2.2 Main barriers to accessing k ey social services

The main barriers to children’s access to key social services, in the view of respondents,

differ according to the type of disadvantage experienced by the children.

 Independently of the type of service provi ded, the main barriers identified for children

living in precarious family situations are th e non-availability of servi ces, a lack of

awareness of those available, and problems of affordability. Discrimination and

problems relating to cultural access were also relevant for access to education, whil e

non-eligibility for support was identified as one of the main barriers to accessing decent

housing.

118 For a full report of the online consultation, see FSCG (2019a).