Social protection policies in developing countries are an increasingly widespread method for tackling chronic poverty and vulnerability and helping families manage risk. Particular schemes often provide cash, paid work or food to poor people. Labour market protections and the linkages between cash transfers and other public services are also important. Young Lives research has examined the impacts of specific social protection schemes on children in Andhra Pradesh, Ethiopia and Peru. Findings suggest that social protection brings benefits for many children and is an important part of anti-poverty strategies. However there can be unintended consequences which policymakers need to consider. These include children having to do more work, which can clash with their education. These findings are an important contribution to the design of future child-centred social protection policies.