When a child has a particular need owing to circumstances in the home or for other reasons, the child welfare service shall commence measures to assist the child and the family. Consideration of the best interests of the child is decisive.
Assistance may comprise guidance, contact support, a visiting home and financial assistance. Placement in a foster home or institution can also be a means of assistance. Children shall live at home in so far as this is possible. Importance is attached to finding the cause of the problems and to discussing these with the parents and the children.
Administrative procedure
Guidelines – applying for, or receiving the service
Parents, friends, neighbours, kindergarten/school, clinic others, who observe that a child needs assistance may inform the child welfare service.
Administrative procedure
The municipality shall obtain the necessary information in order to determine the matter. A decision is consequently made. Normally a reason is given for the decision at the same time. You will always be given a reason if there are grounds to believe that you will not be satisfied with the decision. If the reasons are not stated, you may ask the municipality. This should be done within the time limit for making an appeal.
Administration time
The municipality shall consider your application as soon as possible. If the matter cannot be determined within one month, you will be informed of this in writing with the reasons for the delay. At the same time you will be informed when you may expect to hear of the municipality’s decision.
Possibilities to appeal; procedure
If you are not satisfied with the decision, you may appeal to the municipality within three weeks of having been informed. Explain why you are dissatisfied and why you feel the decision should be changed. If you need assistance, you may ask the municipality. If the municipality maintains its original decision, the matter is sent to the county governor who determines whether the appeal may be allowed.
