Optimising child protection funding in Thailand

Genesis was contracted by UNICEF Thailand to conduct a comprehensive economic evaluation of child protection funding mechanisms in Thailand.

The objective of the project was to provide robust evidence supporting increased investment in child protection and to inform policy decisions on resource allocation.

Our analysis focused on three funding mechanisms: the Child Protection Fund, the Kinship Care Grant and the Foster Care Grant. By comparing these alternatives to institutional care, this analysis demonstrated the cost and child outcomes associated with both institutional and family-based care for vulnerable children.

To address the challenges of limited local data to solve this complex problem, we utilised a novel Cost-Consequence Analysis approach. Our methodology combined rigorous quantitative analysis using available local data with qualitative data collected through key informant interviews to:

• Provide tailored insights specific to the Thailand context, rather than relying solely on generic cost-effectiveness models.
• Offer a nuanced understanding of the costs and consequences associated with each funding mechanism.

The evidence demonstrates the relative performance of alternative funding mechanisms. It also shows how to spend more cost-efficiently and effectively to achieve better outcomes for children.

The analysis was presented through written reports and a series of clear data visualisations for use by government stakeholders and partners. Our results have generated significant interest and are now being used for advocacy purposes and to inform evidence-based policy making in Thailand.