[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Department for Children, Schools and Families : Impact Assessment

Introduction

The Department for Children, Schools and Families carries out an Impact Assessment whenever it is developing and implementing a policy that is likely to noticeably increase or decrease costs on the public, private, or, third sectors. It is an important tool in helping the department to make sure that its policies follow the principles of good regulation, and it applies whether the source of the policy is domestic or international.

Good economic analysis is a key part of Impact Assessment, and it enables the department to weigh and present the relevant evidence on the likely effects of its policies. It also gives those affected by a policy the opportunity to provide additional evidence about the impact on them, and to identify any potential unintended consequences.

An Impact Assessment might be carried out in relation to a wide range of policy interventions. For example, in some cases, the policy might involve direct primary or secondary legislation, perhaps accompanied by a code of practice. In other cases, there might be no direct legislation, but new costs could be placed on public or third sector institutions through changes to reporting requirements, or, funding arrangements.

Further information on Impact Assessment generally can be obtained from the main guidance on the Better Regulation Executive (BRE) website

This website includes copies of Impact Assessments for the Department for Children, Schools and Families for policy proposals that are in development and open to consultation, and also an archive of previously completed and published assessments. It also includes an archive of Regulatory Impact Assessments for the former Department for Education and Skills. Further information can be obtained from Jim Constantinou in the Department's Better Regulation Unit (BRU). Telephone: (020) 7925 6498. E-mail: jim.constantinou@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk


	current assessments archived assessments	Introduction The Department for Children, Schools and Families carries out an Impact Assessment whenever it is developing and implementing a policy that is likely to noticeably increase or decrease costs on the public, private, or, third sectors. It is an important tool in helping the department to make sure that its policies follow the principles of good regulation, and it applies whether the source of the policy is domestic or international. Good economic analysis is a key part of Impact Assessment, and it enables the department to weigh and present the relevant evidence on the likely effects of its policies. It also gives those affected by a policy the opportunity to provide additional evidence about the impact on them, and to identify any potential unintended consequences. An Impact Assessment might be carried out in relation to a wide range of policy interventions. For example, in some cases, the policy might involve direct primary or secondary legislation, perhaps accompanied by a code of practice. In other cases, there might be no direct legislation, but new costs could be placed on public or third sector institutions through changes to reporting requirements, or, funding arrangements. Further information on Impact Assessment generally can be obtained from the main guidance on the Better Regulation Executive (BRE) website This website includes copies of Impact Assessments for the Department for Children, Schools and Families for policy proposals that are in development and open to consultation, and also an archive of previously completed and published assessments. It also includes an archive of Regulatory Impact Assessments for the former Department for Education and Skills. Further information can be obtained from Jim Constantinou in the Department's Better Regulation Unit (BRU). Telephone: (020) 7925 6498. E-mail: jim.constantinou@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk