Barnevernet – Norway’s Child Welfare Service
Barnevernet, or Norway’s Child Welfare Service, often attracts interest among Poles living in Norway – unfortunately, not always positive feelings. Many myths have grown up around this institution, especially concerning the way it deals with children’s cases. In this article, we look at how Barnevernet works, what its role is, and what procedures are used when it intervenes.
What is barnevernet?
Barnevernet is the Norwegian institution responsible for the welfare of children and young people. Its work is based on the Child Welfare Act, which aims to ensure children and young people safety, love, understanding, and good, secure conditions for development. Following the 2018 amendment to the Act, children have the right to state intervention when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that their rights have been violated.
How does barnevernet work?
In child protection cases, proceedings can be initiated in two main ways. The first is a report from social welfare services operating at municipal or county level, and the second is direct contact from those affected by the problem, who seek help themselves, or a report from third parties.
Reports of situations requiring intervention may come from various sources. The most common are reports from the police and other services. Many cases are also reported by the children themselves, their families, friends, neighbours, and public institutions such as schools or health centres. Under the Child Welfare Act, everyone has the right to report suspected harm to a child’s welfare.
Some professional groups, such as teachers, have a duty to report situations that may potentially harm children. After receiving a report, the services begin an investigation to establish the actual situation in the family. The investigation may include home visits, interviews, and consultations with other institutions.
After the investigation is completed, several outcomes are possible:
- The case is dismissed.
- Decisions are made on voluntary support measures.
- The case is referred to the kommune for the use of compulsory measures.
- The case is closed for various reasons, for example if the report was false.
In most cases, the work of the Child Welfare Agency focuses on voluntary help for the family. The aim is to contribute to positive change, both for the child and for the family as a whole. Families often receive advice, support in the form of recreational activities, as well as therapeutic help.
In situations where more decisive steps are required, the state may initiate proceedings to implement compulsory measures. In cases where these measures do not bring progress, it is possible to start proceedings under the further provisions of the Child Welfare Act – that is, proceedings to remove the child from the parents in order to place them in foster care.
The child’s rights in the process
The child’s rights in the process are regulated by barnevernloven § 6-3. The emphasis is on informing, consulting, and taking the child’s views into account, especially when they have reached the age of 12. This means that the child should be heard and that their opinion on the situation should be reflected in the proceedings.
If the child has reached the age of 15, they may act as a party to the case and assert their rights.
Summary
In 2010, foster families and other centres cared for a total of 6,980 children and young people. Despite misunderstandings and myths, the main aim of barnevernet is to ensure a safe and healthy developmental environment for the youngest. Barnevernet’s actions are strictly regulated by law, which ensures proper protection of the child’s rights and fairness of the process.